Canine visceral leishmaniasis: perception, prevalence, and spatial distribution in municipality of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

The midwest region of Brazil has witnessed an increase in the number of cases of human (HVL) and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the population’s perception of these diseases, factors associated with CVL, its spatial distribution, and the prevalence of anti-Leishmania spp. in 385 dogs, determined using a commercially available immunochromatographic rapid test and confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 385 samples, 54 were positive for CVL and confirmed by ELISA, corresponding to a prevalence of 14%. Knowledge of signs of CVL by tutors (p = 0.038); previous occurrence of CVL in the vicinity (p = 0.022); symptomatic dog(s) (p = 0.014), splenomegaly (p = 0.055), and ear ulcer(s) (p = 0.059) were significantly associated with CVL. The results revealed a significant prevalence of CVL spatially distributed in rural and urban contexts. The association between environmentally related variables and perception and the occurrence of CVL underscores the importance of implementing control and prevention strategies primarily focused on environmental management and health education activities.

Canine leishmaniasis in an endemic region, Northeastern Brazil: a comparative study with four groups of animals

“…In this study, the groups of dogs most exposed to Leishmania infection in endemic areas of the state of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil, were identified. The positivity of animals observed here was higher than those obtained in epidemiological surveys carried out in other states, such as Bahia (Rodrigues et al 2020 ), Mato Grosso (Carvalho et al 2020 ), Minas Gerais (Castro-Júnior et al 2014 ), and São Paulo (Julião et al 2007 ). These results may be related to the diversity of biological samples and laboratory tests used in our study, which may allow an increase in the rates of sensitivity for the LC diagnosis (Sassaki et al 2011 ; Braz et al 2016 ).…”

OCORRÊNCIA DA INFECÇÃO NATURAL PARA Leishmania spp. NA POPULAÇÃO CANINA DOMICILIADA E HUMANA DE TRÊS LAGOAS-MS E ANÁLISE ESPACIAL

“…Conhecer esses fatores é importante para o desenvolvimento de estratégias para auxiliar o controle da leishmaniose visceral. Do mesmo modo, a população informada sobre a doença exerce um fator de proteção contra a sua ocorrência (29).…”