Serological exposure of spotted fever group Rickettsia in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from urban parks in Campo Grande, Brazilian Midwest.

BACKGROUND

Rickettsia of the spotted fever group (SFG) has been reported in ticks and domestic animals in Campo Grande (CG), Midwest Brazil.

METHODS

We searched for Rickettsia in the SFG in capybaras and their ticks in an urban park in the CG.

RESULTS

The seropositivity rate was 88.2% (15/17). Although 87.7% of the capybaras sampled showed infestations with Amblyomma sculptum, A. dubitatum, and Amblyomma spp., no molecular results were detected in ticks.

CONCLUSIONS

Since Rickettsia from the SFG circulates among capybaras in the urban parks of Campo Grande, this large rodent species should be monitored within the One Health Agenda.