Leishmaniose em cães domésticos: aspectos epidemiológicos

Abstract

In Barra de Guaratiba, an endemic area for American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, control campaigns were unable to reduce canine infection rates. This difficulty prompted an in-depth study of dogs as a reservoir for Leishmania chagasi in the peri-urban environment through clinical and serological follow-up using the immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques. Recognition of 29 kDa and 32 kDa peptides by sera from dogs with proven L. chagasi infection was observed. Furthermore, only sera from symptomatic dogs recognized the 68.5 kDa antigen, so the latter should be considered a parameter for culling dogs from endemic areas. The WB technique proved to be more sensitive than IFA, since the 29 and 32 kDa peptide fractions were even recognized by sera from AVL seronegative dogs up to 8 months before IFA seroconversion. Proximity to wooded areas was an important risk factor for L. chagasi infection in dogs, possibly due to the presence of wild reservoirs.

Parasites of domestic and wild canids in the region of Serra do Cipó National Park, Brazil

“…Symptomatic animals have greater potential to be sources of infection for sandflies (SILVA et al, 2005). However, it has been shown that asymptomatic infected dogs are also a source of infection for these insects, thus presenting an active role in the transmission (GONTIJO; MELO, 2004).…”

Dificuldades na execução das diretrizes do Programa de Vigilância e Controle da Leishmaniose Visceral em grandes municípios brasileiros

“…De acordo com o citado em vários estudos, cães reagentes podem atuar como bons reservatórios, com grande poder de infectar o vetor da doença, mesmo não apresentando sinais clíni- cos 32,33,34 . Assim, quanto mais tempo o animal é mantido no ambiente, maior a chance de transmitir a parasitose aos vetores e maior o risco de transmissão da doença ao homem 26,27,35 .…”

Presence of Leishmania amastigotes in peritoneal fluid of a dog with leishmaniasis from Alagoas, Northeast Brazil

“…In a recent study carried out in Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro State, the authors affirmed that all imprints made from skin, spleen, liver, heart, lung, kidney, ascitic fluid, and lymph node of five dogs submitted to euthanasia and necropsy were found to be positive for the presence of Leishmania amastigotes 17 . Unfortunately, the authors did not provide further information, i.e., details regarding these findings.…”