"Num mato com cachorro": o antagonismo do papel de portador e sentinela de zoonoses na Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The importance of building links between human health care, biodiversity conservation and the dissemination of this knowledge on a clear form to the local population is certainly an effective way to mitigate the deleterious effects of diseases on the conservation landscape. When we think about the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) as an invasive species and carrier of diseases into the wild, we may infer that it can also be an indicator of the environmental health of its area. Studies show that there is a strong presence of these animals in Brazilian protected areas, such as the Bay of Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, which is a serious problem in areas that need to be conserved. Dogs are also important sources of zoonoses and can act as a potential reservoir of diseases for humans and wild animals within the interface between humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to evaluate the occurrence and prevalence of relevant parasites in the public health and animal conservation scenario, identifying associated risk factors associated. We used a sero-epidemiological approach of domestic dogs for diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and bartonellosis. We tested associations between the seropositivity found and individual factors of the animals sampled, as well as some environmental elements that may interfere in the transmission of these diseases to humans and wild animals. Among 392 animals sampled, 4 presented positive results for canine visceral leishmaniasis, 14 were reagents for Leptospira spp. and 118 were positive for Toxoplasma spp.; and among 100 animals sampled for Bartonella spp., 62 tested positive for serology. We found a positive correlation between the chicken rearing and the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. We also identified the complete epidemiological cycle for visceral leishmaniasis in the Saco do Ceu area. Regarding to leptospirosis, we identified that the Pomona serovar was possibly introduced in Ilha Grande through the entrance of two contaminated dogs, wich justifies the concern with the introduction of this species in protected areas. We founded four other serovars circulating in the studied region: Nupezo 01, Copenhageni, Pyrogenes and Icterohaemorraghiae. We hope that the findings will result into concrete actions aimed at the well-being of all involved links: domestic animals, wildlife and man.