Serosurvey of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Quilombola Communities of Southern Brazil

Abstract

Although <i>quilombola</i> individuals and their dogs may be exposed to hemoparasites such as <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, <i>B. microti</i>, and <i>E. chaffeensis</i>, no study to date has been conducted in these populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of antibodies against <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>, <i>Babesia microti,</i> and <i>Ehrlichia chaffeensis</i> in humans and dogs from <i>quilombola</i> communities in Brazil. Serum samples from humans and dogs were collected from four rural <i>quilombola</i> communities and analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence assays. The results revealed antibody levels of 8% for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, 3% for <i>B. microti,</i> and 1% for <i>E. chaffeensis</i> in humans and 60%, 50%, and 65%, respectively, in dogs. Notably, women were significantly more likely to be seropositive for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> than men (<i>p</i> = 0.0289). Dogs from the Serra do Apon community more commonly had <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.0477) and <i>B. microti</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.0448) than those from the other areas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report human exposure to <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and the ocurrence of <i>B. microti</i> in Brazil. The antibody level of vector-borne diseases in humans is a public health concern, particularly in vulnerable populations and rural areas. The dogs were universally hosted <i>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</i> ticks, suggesting their possible role in transmission. Thus, further epidemiological surveillance studies should be conducted in vulnerable populations to mitigate the impact of such zoonotic diseases.