Canine visceral leishmaniasis in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis that affects dogs and other mammals, including humans. Contact with dogs is a major risk factor for humans. This disease is endemic in several regions of Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Leishmania spp. infection in dogs and to correlate it with possible risk factors.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 391 dogs of different ages, breeds, and both genders, coming from Campina Grande, Paraíba state, Brazil. An epidemiological questionnaire was employed in order to identify risk factors associated with the disease. Serological tests were performed using indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA S7®) and polymerase chain reaction.ResultsLeishmania spp. antibodies were detected in 33 (8.4 %) and 17 (4.3 %) dogs according to the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA S7®), respectively. PCR results indicated the presence of L. chagasi DNA in only eight (2 %) blood samples. There was a significant association between reactive animals and contact with animals from different houses (OR = 4.1; p = 0.02).ConclusionsIt is suggested that CVL may occur in urban areas. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the association among different diagnostic tests may lead to a more accurate identification of positive animals, which might help to improve the disease control and prevent euthanasia in false-positive results.

High seroprevalence and peripheral spatial distribution of visceral leishmaniasis among domestic dogs in an emerging urban focus in Central Brazil: a cross-sectional study

“…Both of these studies were in Minas Gerais State. Such differences are to be expected because the distribution of VL The overall prevalence of CVL (19.2%) in the present survey was higher than that previously detected in other urban areas of Brazil [13,14,41] and abroad [42,43], which indicated a high risk of VL in Rondonópolis. In addition, this may be related to the process of VL urbanization in Brazilian municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants that intensified in the 2000s [4].…”

Leishmaniose visceral em cães de assentamentos rurais

“…Isso pode estar associado às variações hormonais e imunológicas que ocorrem nas fêmeas nos períodos de estro e gestação, tornando-as mais susceptíveis à infecção (Feliciano et al 2012 De acordo com Brito et al (2016), que estudou a LVC na mesma região descrita neste estudo, a limpeza da matéria orgânica acumulada evita a proliferação dos flebotomíne-os. No presente estudo foi descrita uma associação entre a presença de aves (OR=1,67) e casos positivos de LV em cães o que, dessa forma, recomenda-se a construção dos aviários afastados das residências, pulverização com inseticidas nas habitações humanas e instalações dos animais, bem como melhorias nas práticas sanitárias, objetivando reduzir o acúmulo de matéria orgânica e consequentemente diminuir a população de flebótomo e o contato deste com os seres humanos.…”

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

“…and T. cruzi, with antibody titer levels of 1:40 and 1:80, respectively, indicating no greater discrepancies between titers. The state of Paraiba is endemic for CVL and presents confirmed cases of CD in dogs (BRITO et al, 2016;MENDES et al, 2013). Luciano et al (2009), who used IFAT to evaluate cross reactions between Leishmania spp.…”