Journal Article Ahead of print
PubMed: 42529934 DOI: 10.1177/15303667261474716
Occupational Exposure to Leishmania spp. Among Wildlife Professionals in Endemic and Nonendemic Areas of Southern Brazil.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis
Authors: Danilo A França, Louise Bach Kmetiuk, Victoria Gamboa Braga, Orlei José Domingues Rodrigues, Giovanni Augusto Kalempa Panazzolo, Giovani Marino Fávero, Helio Langoni, Alexander Welker Biondo
Affiliations
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Center of Environmental Health, City Secretary of Health, Curitiba, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil.
- Graduate College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, Brazil.
- Graduate College in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to assess serological exposure and associated risk factors to Leishmania spp. among wildlife professionals in endemic and nonendemic areas of southern Brazil.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Serum samples were collected from employees of four public institutions involved in wildlife management, including the Iguaçu National Park, City Zoological Garden, City Animal Services, and the State Environmental Institute. Anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay using Leishmania major promastigotes as antigen. Epidemiological data were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Overall, 11/309 (3.6%) individuals were seropositive to Leishmania spp., with titers ranging from 1:40 to 1:160. Seropositivity was higher among professionals from the Iguaçu National Park (7.4%) from an endemic area and the City Zoological Garden (6.5%) from a nonendemic area. Male participants had increased odds of exposure (OR = 4.08), and veterinarians presented a significantly higher infection rate compared with other occupational categories (p = 0.0318).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that wildlife professionals, particularly veterinarians and those working in endemic or wildlife-rich environments, may be at increased risk of Leishmania spp.
EXPOSURE
The results highlighted the importance of implementing occupational biosafety measures and including these professionals in national leishmaniasis surveillance programs.
MeSH
Veterinarians, Occupational Exposure, Zoonoses, Leishmaniasis, Disease Vectors