Reproductive control of capybaras through sterilization in areas at risk of transmission of brazilian spotted fever

Abstract

Groups of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are currently frequent inhabitants of urban areas. The species participates in the transmission cycle of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), a zoonosis that is caused by the bacteria R. rickettsii and transmitted by vector ticks. This has led to discussions on strategies to decrease the presence of this rodent through contraceptive methods and euthanasia, thus reducing their capacity to carry and transport ticks, which would be an important contribution to public health. Two condominiums and one business establishment in the interior of the state of São Paulo were used as case studies in the present investigation. All areas were classified by the Endemic Control Superintendence as risk areas for the transmission of BSF and presented the specie of ticks A. sculptum and A. dubitatum The objective of this study was to carry out sterilization procedures with animals that presented seropositive results for BSF. A total of 85 surgical procedures were conducted on immune capybaras, with authorization from DeFau/SMA-SP. For all procedures the animals were anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride combined with xylazine and morphine. Two alpha males isolated themselves from the group after the vasectomy procedure, returning to their hierarchical position after 5 to 14 days. Population monitoring in the areas should be maintained indefinitely and conducting annual serological management until the natural death of these individuals. Tubal ligation, vasectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy were demonstrated to be simple and low-risk procedures in capybaras. These techniques assist in the population control of this species in enclosed areas with risk of BSF transmission, thus decreasing the need for euthanasia.

Gut microbiome of the largest living rodent harbors unprecedented enzymatic systems to degrade plant polysaccharides

“…This study was carried out in strict accordance with the Animal Management Rule of the Brazilian Ministry of Environment (Sisbio 59826-1). The samples were collected from three euthanized young female animals in Tatuí/São Paulo State, Brazil (September 2017), which were not infected with R ickettsia rickettsii assessed by immunofluorescence assays 45 , as a control procedure of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) hosts. After euthanasia, the animals were submitted to abdominal surgery to collect fresh samples (20 g) from the cecum and recto of each animal.…”

Surgical contraception of free‐ranging female capybaras: Description and comparison of open and minimally invasive techniques

“…Open salpingectomy techniques have been used for the reproductive control of capybaras 12,13 . However, it is always desirable that the handling and exposure of abdominal viscera be minimized in procedures performed in free‐ranging species in an out‐of‐hospital setting.…”

“…Open salpingectomy techniques have been used for the reproductive control of capybaras. 12,13 However, it is always desirable that the handling and exposure of abdominal viscera be minimized in procedures performed in free-ranging species in an out-of-hospital setting. An alternative in this direction would be the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), which may or may not involve the use of laparoscopic equipment.…”

Aspectos Etioepidemiológicos Da Febre Maculosa Brasileira: Revisão Sistemática

“…Coincidentemente, áreas antrópicas como parques urbanos e periurbanos com corpos de água, jardins de condomínios residenciais e empresas têm sido ambientes adequados tanto para capivaras quanto para seus carrapatos. Considerada a grande vilã na cadeia epidemiológica da enfermidade, levanta discussões relevantes e atuais sobre estratégias para diminuir sua população por meio de métodos contraceptivos e eutanásia, reduzindo sua capacidade de carrear e transportar carrapatos, e amplificar riquétsias do GFM, sendo retratada como estratégia primordial de profilaxia e controle da enfermidade (13,29,35), Cães silvestres (Cerdocyon thous) e domésticos são relatados como suscetíveis e hospedeiros amplificadores das riquétsias. Estudos de inquéritos soroepidemiológicos apontam cães domésticos e silvestres, e carrapatos infectados e alguns cães apresentando sintomatologia da doença em domicílios próximos a fragmentos de mata caracterizando áreas de interface doméstico-silvestre, o que corrobora com o fato de canídeos com o fato de canídeos serem susceptíveis à infecção natural por R. rickettsii, podendo até desenvolver a doença, embora este seja um achado raro (30,41,42).…”

“…As capivaras e os cavalos assumem grande importância na cadeia epidemiológica da enfermidade, pois são os principais reservatórios e amplificadores dos carrapatos transmissores da FMB. Os animais mantidos em pastos sujos, com vegetação alta, ou em matas ciliares, encontram um ambiente bastante propício para a infestação pelo A. sculptum, tornando-se um grave problema de saúde ambiental e pública (11,18,26,27,28,29).…”