Abstract Murine typhus is a flea-borne disease caused by Rickettsia typhi, which was first detected in Mexico in 1927. It was not until 1996 that the first systematized study involving this pathogen was conducted in two coastal states of Mexico. We now report the first confirmed case of murine typhus in the state of Campeche, which occurred in a male patient who exhibited fever, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, and a rash. Furthermore, the patient reported having had previous contact with Rickettsia reservoirs.

Lepstospira interrogans ha sido identificada como uno de los agentes causantes de la leptospirosis, una zoonosis ampliamente distribuida, la cual se ha identificado en numerosos animales domésticos y silvestres. En este trabajo se analizaron los riñones de dos especies de roedores silvestres procedentes del estado de Campeche, México mediante la técnica de PCR con iniciadores específicos para la detección de DNA de Leptospira interrogans. Las especies de roedores que resultaron positivas corresponden a Heteromys gaumeri y Ototylomys phyllotis, ambas representan nuevos registros de huéspedes para la bacteria en el sureste de México. Estos nuevos huéspedes deberán ser estudiados cuidadosamente con el fin de determinar la posibilidad de que otras especies de animales, y en particular los humanos, entren en contacto con el patógeno presente en animales silvestres.

Leptospira interrogans has been identified to cause leptospirosis, a widespread zoonotic disease that has been identified in domestic and wild animals. This work analyzed kidneys from two species of wild rodents from the state of Campeche, Mexico. Analyses were made by PCR using specific primers for detection of Leptospira interrogans DNA. The rodent species that tested positive were Heteromys gaumeri and Ototylomys phyllotis, both of which are new hosts for the bacteria in Southeastern Mexico. These records provide new insights into the disease’s transmission that should be studied carefully in order to identify other potential host species, including humans, which are at risk of becoming infected if they are in contact with infected wildlife.

Background. In Mexico, a steady increase of patients with visceral leishmaniasis has been reported, especially in the states of Chiapas and Guerrero, yet only limited information exists on canine leishmaniasis in areas of visceral leishmaniasis in Mexico. A veterinary report of dogs with nonhealing cutaneous lesions in Pungarabato, Guerrero led us to investigate the possible presence of Leishmania infection in an area where Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia evansi, both vectors of Leishmania infantum, have been described. Methods. We analyzed skin lesions of 25 dogs by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results. We found a 60% prevalence of Leishmania-infected dogs, the infection rate being higher in males than females. Thus, we established a new focus of canine leishmaniasis, and although to date no patients have been reported in this municipality, it is close to and shares the same ecological characteristics of dry tropical forests as regions where visceral leishmaniasis has been reported in Mexico. We also include updated information of localities of visceral leishmaniasis in Mexico as well as the distribution of possible sand fly vectors. Conclusions. Our data show the need to ascertain the magnitude of this new focus in view of the current data on human visceral leishmaniasis, a disease that is surging in Mexico.