Analysis of the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil, with emphasis on the use of immunochromatography, ELISA and IFAT – a review

Abstract

Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis is complex and challenging, because no test is 100% sensitive and specific. The Brazilian public service employs the euthanasia of seropositive dogs as a control method. Additionally, veterinarians have difficulty in standardizing the serological diagnostic routine, due to the lack of technical and standardized methods and the use of exclusively qualitative serological tests for diagnosis. This scenario requires the search for more reliable and standardized tests in order to prevent the slaughter of false-positive dogs, vaccination of infected animals and unnecessary treatments as a result of test misinterpretation. This review aims to present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of serologic tests used to diagnose the disease in Brazil.