ABSTRACT
In order to study possible vectors involved in the transmission of Equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis (EME) in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, fresh water snails were collected from establishments with a history of EME occurrence. The snails were collected from the area of Rio Grande, Santa Vitoria and Arroio Grande counties. Snails belonging to the genera Drepanotrema, Physa, Pomacea, Biomphalaria, and Heleobia were found. Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii were detected in 13.33% of the snails of the genus (Heleobia H. piscium, H. parchappei, H. davisi) using the PCR method, but not in the other genera. In these snails we found cercariae that were classified as Parapleurolophocercous cercariae. It was observed that 20% of the P. cercariae were positive for N. risticii by PCR. Based in our observations we concluded that N. risticii is present in this area of Brazil. Also, we can suggest that its transmission is mediated by the snail of genus Heleobia since this snail harbors the trematode and is present in irrigation channels, rivers and in the coastal area of Mirim Lake.
KEY WORDS
Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii
;
Heleobia
;
Parapleuro lophocecous cercariae
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