Abstract INTRODUCTION: Serological surveys are important to assess the health status of wild animals. In this study, antibodies against Leptospira spp, causal agents of leptospirosis, were detected in free-living marsupials in the State of Pará, Brazil. METHODS: Nineteen blood samples collected from marsupials in the municipalities of Peixe-Boi, Viseu, and Castanhal were subjected to microscopic agglutination tests. RESULTS: In total, 36.8% (7/19) of samples were positive, and two exhibited co-agglutination. The most frequent serovars were Icterohaemorrhagiae (60%; 3/5), Panama (20%; 1/5), and Nupezo (20%; 1/5). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-Leptospira spp antibodies currently circulate in free-living marsupials in Northeastern Pará.

RESUMO: Embora estudos sorológicos para leptospirose em iguanas já tenham sido realizados, não a relatos na região amazônica. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo pesquisar a presença de anticorpos anti-Leptospira sp. em Iguanas-verdes (Iguana iguana) de vida livre do Parque Mangal das Garças, região metropolitana de Belém, PA, e Norte do Brasil. Foram coletadas 29 amostras de sangue de Iguana-verde (I. iguana) que frequentaram o Parque Mangal das Garças. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por Leptospira sp. foi empregado o teste de aglutinação microscópica (MAT) com 25 antígenos vivos de Leptospira sp. como antígenos. Observou-se que todas as amostras foram não reagentes, o que sugere não exposição ao agente.

ABSTRACT: Although, serological studies for leptospirosis in iguanas have already been performed, there is no report in the Amazon region. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Leptospira sp. in free living Iguanas-verdes (Iguana iguana) of Mangal das Garças Park, metropolitan region of Belém, Pará, Northern region of Brazil. Twenty-nine blood samples of Iguana-verde (I. iguana) were collected from Mangal das Garças Park. For the serological diagnosis of Leptospira sp. it was employed microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with 25 live antigens of Leptospira sp. as antigens. It was observed that all samples were non-reactive, suggesting no exposure to the agent.