Evaluation of domestic dogs as competent amplifier hosts to the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii to Amblyomma aureolatum ticks and predictive spacial ecological modeling for occurrence of Brazilian Spotted Fever in the state of São Paulo

Abstract

Brazilian Spotted Fever (FMB) is a vector-borne zoonosis that is caused by bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. In the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP) the vector incriminated in the transmission is the Amblyomma aureolatum tick, which depends on typical characteristics of the Atlantic Forest biome to survive. Domestic dogs are the main hosts of the adult tick stage in urban matrix areas near areas of fragmented forest, and participate in the cycle of disease to the road infected ticks from the forest to the anthropic environment. It is known that amplifier hosts are important in the epidemiology of FBM, since they increase the number of infected ticks in nature. In order to elucidate the existing gaps with respect to FMB in the SPMR, the present study aims to test the hypothesis that domestic dogs host amplifiers of the bacterium. In addition, this paper seeks to determine, through spatial modeling, which areas are more or less likely to present FMB cases. Taking into account as conditions for the occurrence of the vector. Aureolatum, as well as those of landscape structure that facilitate the interaction of the vector with its hosts in the environment, it is possible to create models that help in anticipating the occurrence of the disease, facilitating the Epidemiological Surveillance Process to allow an evaluation of priority areas for prevention and control. (AU)