Detection of Rabies Virus Antibodies in Brazilian Free-Ranging Wild Carnivores

Abstract

Rabies virus is a pathogen of major concern in free-ranging wild carnivores in several regions of the world, but little is known about its circulation in Brazilian wild carnivores. Sera from 211 free-ranging wild carnivores, captured from 2000 to 2006 in four locations of two Brazilian biomes (Pantanal and Cerrado), were tested for rabies antibodies. Twenty-six individuals (12.3%) had neutralizing antibody titers ≥0.10 IU/ml. The four sampled locations had antibody-positive animals, suggesting that Rabies virus circulates in all of these regions. Results underscore the risk posed by rabies for conservation of Brazilian carnivores and the possibility of the animals acting as reservoirs for the Rabies virus.

Antibodies to Rabies Virus in Terrestrial Wild Mammals in Native Rainforest on the North Coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

“…However, because 1) there are confirmed rabies-positive bats in the region, 2) there have been no cases of rabies due to the dog variant in Sã o Paulo State since 1997, and 3) spillover from dogs to wildlife has not been identified outside the Northeastern region, we believe that the virus is most likely of bat origin. There are additional findings of RVNA in wild species in Brazil without symptoms of disease (Megid 2000;Almeida et al 2001;Jorge et al 2010;Machado et al 2012).…”

“…Antibodies have been identified in opossums (Didelphis aurita) and primates from an urban area (Almeida et al 2001) and in marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus; Megid 2000), wild canids (Jorge et al 2010), and capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella; Machado et al 2012).…”

SEROSURVEY FOR SELECTED PATHOGENS IN FREE-RANGING AMERICAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS) IN MARYLAND, USA

“…Four bears in the study had detectable antibodies to rabies virus, two of which had high titers. Until recently, exposure to rabies virus was considered inevitably fatal, but evidence is mounting in both animals and humans that survival after exposure to rabies is possible (Deem et al 2004;Jackson et al 2008;Jorge et al 2010;Gilbert et al 2012), and some animals that are exposed mount an immune response but do not develop signs of rabies. A black bear with neurologic signs and abnormal behavior was diagnosed with rabies in 2007 in Garrett County, but cases of rabies are considered rare in free-ranging bears, with only three other reported cases in bears between 1992 and 2011 in the US, all in black bears in the eastern US (Krebs et al 2000(Krebs et al , 2005Blanton et al 2008).…”

Exposure to rabies virus in a population of free-ranging capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) in a fragmented, environmentally protected area in southeastern Brazil

“…Lower levels of detectable antibodies may represent previous natural exposure to rabies virus or the possibility of nonspecific inhibition (Rosatte and Gunson 1984). Jorge et al (2010) recommend a cutoff of 0.1 IU/mL for exposure to rabies virus in wild carnivores; however, there are no values established for exposure/protection of capuchin monkeys. Monkeys are considered potential rabies transmitters (Menachem et al 2008).…”