Detection of antibodies to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in horses from northern Region of Paraná State

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is the most prevalent human systemic mycosis in Latin America. Paracoccidioidomycosis affects mainly male rural workers, causing granulomatous lesions in organs such as lungs, liver and spleen. The participation of other animal species in the fungus eco-epidemiology in not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the infection by P. brasiliensis in horses from the Northern Region of Paraná State. The serum samples from 100 horses were assayed by ELISA and Immunodiffusion test, using gp43 and exoantigen as antigens, respectively. A seropositivity of 30% was observed by ELISA test, although all samples were negative by immunodiffusion test. These results suggest that horses can be indicator of fungus presence in the ambient.