Occupational Exposure to <i>Leishmania</i> spp. Among Wildlife Professionals in Endemic and Nonendemic Areas of Southern Brazil

Background: This study aimed to assess serological exposure and associated risk factors to Leishmania spp. among wildlife professionals in endemic and nonendemic areas of southern Brazil. Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected from employees of four public institutions involved in wildlife management, including the Iguaçu National Park, City Zoological Garden, City Animal Services, and the State Environmental Institute. Anti- Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay using Leishmania major promastigotes as antigen. Epidemiological data were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Overall, 11/309 (3.6%) individuals were seropositive to Leishmania spp., with titers ranging from 1:40 to 1:160. Seropositivity was higher among professionals from the Iguaçu National Park (7.4%) from an endemic area and the City Zoological Garden (6.5%) from a nonendemic area. Male participants had increased odds of exposure (OR = 4.08), and veterinarians presented a significantly higher infection rate compared with other occupational categories ( p = 0.0318). Conclusions: The findings indicate that wildlife professionals, particularly veterinarians and those working in endemic or wildlife-rich environments, may be at increased risk of Leishmania spp. exposure. The results highlighted the importance of implementing occupational biosafety measures and including these professionals in national leishmaniasis surveillance programs.