Dinâmica sazonal de carrapatos (Acari: Ixodidae) na mata ciliar de uma área endêmica para febre maculosa na região de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

Spotted fever is recognized worldwide as a reemerging public health problem. In Campinas region, state of São Paulo, the transmission area has expanded and the number of positive cases has increased in the lastest years. In these region most cases are usually related to the increased number of capybaras, which are one of the main primary hosts for the tick Amblyomma cajennense. The main objective of this study was to determine the seasonal dynamic of larvaes, nymphs and adults of Amblyomma species in a gallery forest. From November 2000 to October 2002 free-living ticks were collected using carbon dioxid traps. Larvae of Amblyomma spp were abundant during almost all months. Nymphs of Amblyomma spp occurred during the whole year and were more abundants from July to December. Adults of A.cajennense were more abundants during the spring-summer months. Adults of A.dubitatum showed higher populational peaks from August to February.