Risk factors associated with seropositivity for Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs in the state of Paraiba, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this survey was to determine the seropositivity and risk factors for Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 1,043 dogs were tested, and the serological diagnoses of Chagas disease (CD) and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) was performed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Animals that tested seropositive for both diseases (by IFAT) were further subjected to ELISA. Of the 1,043 dogs 81 (7.8%; 95% CI = 6.1-9.4%) tested seropositive for Leishmania spp., while 83 were seropositive for T. cruzi (7.9%; 95% CI = 6.3-9.6%). Simultaneous serological reactions were detected in 49 animals (4.6%; 95% CI= 3.6-6.2%). Semi-domiciled housing (OR = 2.044), free housing (OR = 4.151), and soil (OR = 3.425) and soil/cement (OR = 3.065) environmental conditions were identified as risk factors for CVL seropositivity. The risk factors identified for CD seropositivity were semi-domiciled (OR = 2.353) or free housing (OR = 3.454), and contact with bovine (OR = 2.015). This study revealed the presence of dogs in the Paraíba State seropositive for CVL and CD, suggesting the need for revisiting and intensification of disease control measures through constant monitoring of the canine population.Keywords: Dogs, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi, risk factors, Northeastern region of Brazil. ResumoO objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a soropositividade para Leishmania spp. e Trypanosoma cruzi em cães do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil, bem como identificar fatores de risco. Foram utilizados 1.043 cães e, para o diagnóstico sorológico de doença de Chagas (DC) e leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC), foi utilizada a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Animais positivos para ambas as doenças (pela RIFI) foram submetidos ao ELISA. Dos 1.043 cães investigados, 81 foram soropositivos para Leishmania spp., resultando em prevalência de 7,8% (IC 95% = 6,1-9,4%) e, para T. cruzi, 83 (7,9%; IC 95% = 6,3-9,6%) animais foram soropositivos. Quarenta e nove animais (4,6%; IC 95% = 3,6-6,2%) apresentaram sororeatividade mista. Criação semidomiciliar (OR = 2,044), criação solta (OR = 4,151), ambiente de terra (OR = 3,425) e ambiente de terra/cimento (OR = 3,065) foram apontados como fatores de risco para LVC, e criação semidomiciliar (OR = 2,353), criação solta (OR = 3,454) e contato com bovinos (OR = 2,015) para DC. Conclui-se que LVC e DC estão presentes em cães do Estado da Paraíba, o que sugere revisão e intensificação das medidas de controle através do constante monitoramento da população canina.Palavras-chave: Cães, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi, fatores de risco, Nordeste do Brasil.

Occurrence and risk factors of zoonoses in dogs and owners in Sertão, Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil

“…This implies that the occurrence of leishmaniasis would be higher in adult dogs, as the incubation period would occur over a longer period of time, increasing the exposure of the host to this vector (ALMEIDA et al, 2010). In addition, soil composition was previously identified as risk factor for dogs in Paraíba (FERNANDES et al, 2016). In the locations used for this study, sanitation protocols are difficult to implement, which favors the accumulation of biological waste material.…”

“…could increase the susceptibility of dogs to secondary infection by agents such as T. gondii (GENNARI et al, 2006). It is noteworthy to emphasize the presence of endemic areas for CVL and CD in South America, where the possibility of mixed infections is high (LUCIANO et al, 2009;FERNANDES et al, 2016).…”

“…The variable of free housing was considered a risk factor for T. cruzi infections, as this type of living condition reinforces the peri-domestic cycle of the disease (FERNANDES et al, 2016); after the eradication of disease transmission in Brazil through its main vector, Triatoma infestans, other species of triatomines were introduced in urban and domestic areas, thus rendering both dogs and humans equally exposed.…”

Leishmaniose visceral em cães de assentamentos rurais

“…Os cães desempenham um papel importante na manutenção e transmissão da infecção, especialmente na presença de vetores competentes e hospedeiros susceptíveis (Steindel et al 2013). A Organização Pan-americana de Saúde (OPAS) define que os cães são os principais reservatórios da LV para o homem e que são necessárias estratégias de controle da leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) para diminuir os casos humanos e a propagação da doença (OPAS 2009 No Brasil, a região Nordeste é a que apresenta a prevalência mais alta da LVC, entretanto o índice pode variar de 0,7% a 51,61% (Abreu- Silva et al 2008, Barbosa et al 2009, Fernandes et al 2016), e com níveis mais altos na zona rural em relação à área urbana (Amóra et al 2006.…”

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi infections in dogs presented at veterinary clinics in João Pessoa, Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil

“…Recently however, due to increasing urbanization, particularly the inhabitation of peri-urban areas, the pathogens have proliferated in the urban environment as well. As a consequence, the number of infected people and domestic animals has risen (WHO, 2015;FERNANDES et al, 2016). According to the National System for Disease Notification (SINAN) in Brazil, approximately 50,000 cases of visceral leishmaniosis were diagnosed in humans from 2001 to 2015, with most cases reported in the northeastern region.…”