Canine leishmaniasis was studied in 1,823 dogs from the Lisbon metropolitan region. The breeds most affected were doberman and German shepherd, independent of sex and use. Young adult (12.2%) and older dogs (14.7%) had higher prevalences of infection. Parasitological confirmation of serological diagnosis was higher in dogs with indirect fluorescent antibody test titer greater than or equal to 1:512, indicating that parasitological patency is a late event. Exposure of Leishmania in lymph nodes is more efficient for parasitological confirmation (75.4% of cases). Frequent signs of disease were enlarged lymph nodes and onychogriphosis. However, 53.8% of the dogs with significant antibody titers (greater than or equal to 1:128) showed no symptom, suggesting that canine leishmaniasis has a prolonged asymptomatic period. This study confirmed the importance of the dog as the reservoir of visceral leishmaniasis.

Hepatozoon sp. is described for the first time in foxes (Vulpes vulpes silacea) in Portugal. Of 301 foxes examined, 143 (48%) were infected. The gametocyte was the predominant stage of the life cycle and was found in every organ except the bone marrow, where schizonts were the most abundant stage. The morphological similarity of this parasite's gametocytes to Hepatozoon canis is emphasized.

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A direct agglutination test (DAT) and an immunofluorescence technique (IFAT) were compared for detection of

Several small mammals were trapped in the Arrabida region (Portugal) and checked for the presence of trypanosomes which were found in 33 of the 197 (11.1 %) M us spretus and in 9 of the 29 (31 %) Crocidura russula observed. To our knowledge, this was the first time that trypanosomes were isolated from these mammals species. In the liver of one dead C. russula was observed different parasite forms. The studies of infectivity to experimental rodents, analyses of the DNA buoyant density and the isoenzy matic profils, show that trypanosomes isolates from M. spretus were identical to Trypanosoma musculi isolates from Mus musculus. However the isolates from C. russula, although related to the isolates from murine rodents, were clearely separated from these and close to Trypanosoma microti. These findings may allow further studies on the detection of their vectors and on the study of trypanosome reproduction.Résumé : Études expérimentales de Trypanosomes (Herpetosoma) de petits mammifères portugais.Dans la région d'Arrabida (Portugal), 197 Mus spretus et 29 Crocidura russula ont été capturés. 11,1 % des M. spretus et 31 % des C. russula ont des trypanosomes qui n'avaient pas encore été signalés chez ces hôtes. Les différentes formes du parasite obser vées dans le foie d'une Crocidure trouvée morte sont décrites.