Brazilian spotted fever: A spatial analysis of human cases and vectors in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a highly lethal disease caused by Rickettsia spp. and is transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma. Understanding the epidemiology of BSF in each region can help direct health surveillance actions. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of vectors and the incidence of BSF in the state of São Paulo. Spatial analysis included confirmed BSF cases between 2009 and 2019; occurrences were registered by municipalities of the state. There were 752 confirmed BSF cases, with incidences ranging between 0.01 and 10.37/10,000 inhabitants. Moran's Global Index for BSF was 0.20 (p = .001), which was indicative of spatial dependence. Moran's map located a cluster of 20 high priority municipalities for BSF and showed that Amblyomma sculptum is the vector involved in Rickettsia rickettsii transmission in these locations. Spatial analysis identified clusters formed by 47, 20 and seven significant municipalities for the presence of A. sculptum, Amblyomma aureolatum and Amblyomma ovale vectors, respectively. Surveillance and prevention actions are necessary in areas that are at high risk for BSF and in areas where the presence of vectors was significant.

Aspectos Etioepidemiológicos Da Febre Maculosa Brasileira: Revisão Sistemática

“…Outros artrópodes também são potencialmente vetores, como por exemplo, pulgas, piolhos e ácaros, reforçando a complexidade do ciclo de transmissão da doença. Os principais hospedeiros amplificadores citados na literatura são, as capivaras, equídeos, roedores e marsupiais, que desempenham importante participação no ciclo de transmissão da FMB e como amplificadores de riquétsias, assim como transportadores de carrapatos potencialmente infectados (1,2,40).…”

“…A Febre Maculosa Brasileira (FMB) é uma zoonose, febril aguda, de gravidade variável, que geralmente se desenvolve em caráter endêmico, com distribuição mundial, causada por bactérias da família Rickettsiaceae, denominadas Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia sp. cepa Mata Atlântica e Rickettsia parkeri (1,2,3).…”

Seroprevalence for Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in horses from non-endemic areas at the Southeastern Brazil

“…However, the 'Mata Atlântica' strain from Rickettsia parkeri, and the Rickettsia parkeri sensu stricto (s.s.) have been described in some regions of Brazil, but without reports of seriousness. Generally, the RSFG have an endemic nature in many regions of the country, and they have been reported both in rural and urban areas, with many cases in the Southeastern Region [3][4][5][6] .…”

“…The Amblyomma genus has been reported as the main vector for RSFG in Brazil 3,10 . Nevertheless, vectors of BYS are not well-described yet.…”