Risk factors associated with ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs, and hunters of Brazil

Research (Published online: 25-10-2021)

24. Risk factors associated with ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs, and hunters of Brazil

Louise Bach Kmetiuk, Thiago Fernandes Martins, Renato van Wilpe Bach, Camila Marinelli Martins, Ivan Roque de Barros-Filho, Leandro Cavalcante Lipinski, Giovani Marino Fávero, Andrea Pires dos Santos and Alexander Welker Biondo

Veterinary World, 14(10): 2745-2749

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Wild boars have recently been implicated as the maintainers and carriers of Amblyomma spp. ticks, which are essential for Rickettsia spp. transmission. Consequently, wild boar hunting may increase the risk of tick exposure and subsequent human tick-borne infection and disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for ticks and Rickettsia spp. exposure in wild boars, hunting dogs, and hunters in Brazilian biomes.

Materials and Methods: The statistical relationship of Rickettsia spp. antibodies were evaluated using the Chi-square test in 80 wild boars, 170 hunting dogs, and 49 hunters.

Results: The only statistically significant difference in seropositivity found in this study was between male and female wild boars (p=0.034), probably associated with in-park exposure to Amblyomma brasiliense infected with Rickettsia spp.

Conclusion: The absence of statistical differences in the associated risk factors for hunting dogs and hunters may indicate a random exposure to Rickettsia spp.

Keywords: Brazilian spotted fever, hunting activities, wild boars.