RESUMEN

Ticks, along with fleas, are considered the main ectoparasites affecting dogs in Brazil. The literature is rich in reports on the occurrence of ticks, which are vectors of diseases in both dogs and humans. The study of the epidemiology of these arthropods provides important data that can help control the infestation in residential areas where dogs are present. Thus, the study of their occurrence in urban areas and veterinary services is very important. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of ticks in dogs in a veterinary hospital population in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Over a one-year period (July 2012 to July 2013), 1483 dogs brought to veterinary services in south-eastern Brazil were examined. Among the dogs examined, 8.97% presented tick infestation, of which 100% were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Given that this species of tick acts as a vector for diseases, it is important that the official health services monitor the occurrence of infestation in dogs and humans, in order to identify diseases transmitted by these ticks in this region.(AU)

Os carrapatos, juntamente com as pulgas, são considerados, no Brasil, como os principais ectoparasitas do cão. A literatura é rica em relatos considerando a ocorrência de carrapatos, que são vetores de doenças para cães e humanos. O estudo da epidemiologia de artrópodes é um dado importante que pode ajudar a controlar a infestação em áreas domiciliadas com a presença de cães. Nesse sentido, o estudo de sua ocorrência em áreas urbanas e ou mesmo em serviços médicos veterinários é importante. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a ocorrência de carrapatos em cães em uma população hospitalar do estado de Espírito Santo, Brasil. Durante um ano (julho de 2012 a julho de 2013), foram examinados 1483 cães atendidos em serviços hospitalares no sudeste do Brasil. Entre os cães examinados, 8,97% apresentaram infestação de carrapatos, sendo 100% deles identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Uma vez que se trata de uma espécie de carrapato que atua como vetor de doenças, é importante que os serviços oficiais de saúde mantenham um monitoramento da ocorrência de infestação tanto em cães como em humanos, a fim de identificar doenças transmitidas por esses carrapatos nesta região.(AU)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Among the 69 tick species currently recognized in Brazil, only 13 have been reported in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. This study reports new tick records from Espírito Santo, and investigated the infection by rickettsial bacteria in these ticks. During 2012-2016, ticks were occasionally collected from different sources in Espírito Santo. In addition, we revised tick unpublished records from Espírito Santo in a tick collection. A total of 1263 tick specimens comprising 19 tick species (17 Ixodidae, 2 Argasidae) were collected. The following seven tick species are reported for the first time in Espírito Santo: Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma rotundatum, Amblyomma varium, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, and Ornithodoros hasei. The only tick species previously reported for Espírito Santo, but not found in the present study, is A. longirostre. A total of 194 ticks of 7 species were tested for rickettsial infection. Three Rickettsia species were detected: Rickettsia bellii in A. aureolatum, Rickettsia rhipicephali in H. juxtakochi, and Rickettsia amblyommii in A. humerale. The present study increases the tick fauna of Espírito Santo to 20 species (29% of the Brazilian tick fauna). Additionally, 3 Rickettsia species are reported for the first time in this region of Brazil.