Assessment of the risks of rats (Rattus norvegicus) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris) in different poultry-rearing areas in Argentina

GÓMEZ VILLAFAÑE, ISABEL; MIÑARRO, FERNANDO; RIBICICH, MABEL; ROSSETTI, CARLOS; ROSSOTTI, DANIEL; BUSCH, MARÍA

BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY

SOC BRASILEIRA MICROBIOLOGIA

Año: 2004 vol. 34 p. 359 - 363

1517-8382

We study the prevalence of Trichinella spiralis, Leptospira sp and Salmonella sp in rats and opossums that inhabit poultry farms of Exaltación de la Cruz County, Buenos Aires Argentina for determine the potential risk of human population that is in contact with these animals. The study was carried out between spring 1999 and winter 2001 at 48 poultry farms (six for each season). The study of opossums began at winter 2000. Rodents and opossums captured were identified to species and took samples for diseases detection. During the study period we captured 160 rats (152 Rattus norvegicus and 3 Rattus rattus, 5 could not be identified) and 17 opossums (16 Didelphis albiventris and 1 Lutreolina crassicaudata) by means of a total trapping effort of 4382 trap-nights. We registered the presence of rats and opossums in 70% and 27% of the studied farms, respectively. The percentage of farms with rats was independent of the presence or absence of pigs. We did not detect the presence of Leptospira sp. and Trichinella spiralis in any rats and opossums analysed. We detected the presence of Salmonella enteritidis in one of the 123 Rattus norvegicus and one of the 16 Didelphis albiventris analysed. According to our results, the rats and opossums of poultry farms in the study area are not a factor risk in the transmission of Triquinella and Leptospirosis under the present conditions; but the detection of Salmonella enteritidis in rats as well as in opossums implies a risk for human health and suggests the idea of applying prophylactics measurement on poultry farms