Transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in a risk area of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has spread rapidly across cities in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. The aim of this study was to investigate VL dynamics in a prospective cohort study of dogs in Juatuba, between 2010 and 2011, to confirm the incidence of Leishmania infantum, and to assess possible risk factors associated with infection. An observational and prospective closed cohort study was performed using serology testing in dogs, randomly selected from the whole municipality. All seronegative dogs, or dogs with inconclusive results were monitored using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) at 6-month intervals. The dog's owners completed a semi-structured questionnaire to assess possible causal factors of seroconversion, and the responses were assessed using logistic regression. The canine incidence coefficient was 206/1,000 dogs per year (CI: 178-238), and a cluster was identified in an area with a high concentration of seropositive dogs, but a low overall canine population. Large dogs were identified as a risk factor and the following variables were identified as protection factors: dogs aged over 4 years, daily peridomicile cleaning, and better socioeconomic conditions. VL is spreading over a large area in Juatuba in a short period of time. Key words: leishmaniasis, incidence, seroconversion, risk factors, cluster RESUMO A leishmaniose visceral (LV) expandiu-se de forma rápida e extensa pelos municípios da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Objetivou-se estudar a dinâmica da LV em uma coorte prospectiva de cães em Juatuba, entre 2010 e 2011, para verificar a incidência e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Leishmania infantum. Foi feito um estudo observacional e prospectivo de coorte fechada por meio de análise sorológica em cães selecionados aleatoriamente em todo o município, com acompanhamento semestral dos resultados soronegativos e indeterminados na imunofluorescência indireta (IFI

Eco-epidemiological study on sandflies and environmental aspects related to the transmission of leishmaniasis in a municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2015-2016

“…The research was carried out in a municipality in Brazil, which already has registered autochthonous human cases of ACL and AVL. Previous studies have found a high prevalence of canine VL in this municipality, especially in areas with a high population density of dogs (Borges et al, 2014;Lopes et al, 2016).…”

“…Two areas were non-randomly selected based on three inclusion criteria: (1) a high prevalence of canine VL (Borges et al, 2014;Lopes et al, 2016), (2) a history of human cases of ACL and AVL, and (3) similar socioeconomic, environmental, and ecological characteristics, such as the presence of animals, fruit trees, and accumulated organic matter. The canine serological survey and systematic capture of sandflies were carried out in these areas.…”

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Colombia, 2007 to 2018

“…Studies have been conducted to measure the impact of canines on the incidence of VL, and the effectiveness of euthanasia and other control strategies to interrupt transmission. 80,81 However, to carry out effective control of leishmaniasis in endemic areas, it is necessary to resort to One Health strategies, 82,83 including the concept that the prevention of leishmaniasis requires targeting both canines and the environment in which the insects perpetuate their life cycle. 84 For VL in Colombia, the epidemiological behavior of the disease in Santander and La Guajira is misleading.…”