An autochthonous case of visceral canine leishmaniasis in Barra do Piraí-RJ

Flavia Clare Goulart De Carvalho,Bruna De Azevedo Baêta,Raphaela Fernandes Coelho,Artur Augusto Velho Mendes,Gabriele Barbosa Brandão

doi:10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm099019

Abstract

Visceral Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania chagasi, is a re-emergent anthropozoonosis, considered a major public health problem. In the urban area, the dog (Canis familiaris) is the main source of infection and canine enzootia has preceded the occurrence of human cases, in which infection in dogs has been more prevalent than in humans. In this context, the present study reports the occurrence of an autochthonous case of Visceral Canine Leishmaniasis in Barra do Pirai, RJ. After verification of a clinic compatible with canine visceral leishmaniasis, several diagnostic exams were performed, such as cytological examination of the ear tip and lymph node puncture, rapid immunochromatographic test DPP® (Dual Path Platform), ELISA, RIFI and culture of material obtained from of skin biopsy, lymph node and bone marrow puncture. With the clinical, serological and parasitological confirmation of Leishmania spp. the dog’s owner chose to euthanize this animal and 3 months later, another positive animal residing in the same place. Based on this report, it is necessary to implement the entomological and epidemiological surveillance in the county of Barra do Pirai, in order to detect the presence of the vector and / or canine enzootia prior to the installation of the anthropozoonotic cycle, allowing to adopt actions to control the disease and the occurrence of the disease in humans.

Highlights

American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is a zoonosis that has become a major public health problem because of the extensive geographic distribution, high incidence, and the seriousness of its clinical forms (World Health Organization, 2015). It is caused by the protozoa Leishmania infantum (Leishmania chagasi) (Dantas-Torres, 2006) and transmitted mainly through the bite of female sandflies (Tavares & Marinho, 2012; Brasil, 2014)
In Rio de Janeiro (RJ), canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) was unknown until mid-1977, when the first case was reported in the western region (Salazar et al, 1979), and since infection control has been achieved in the affected areas, cases CVL remain. (Marzochi et al, 2009)
The traps were placed at 6:00 p.m. and removed at 7:00 a.m. the following morning for 3 consecutive days; no sandflies were observed. This is the first autochthonous case of CVL reported in Barra do Piraí

Summary

Introduction

American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) is a zoonosis that has become a major public health problem because of the extensive geographic distribution, high incidence, and the seriousness of its clinical forms (World Health Organization, 2015). It is caused by the protozoa Leishmania infantum (Leishmania chagasi) (Dantas-Torres, 2006) and transmitted mainly through the bite of female sandflies (Tavares & Marinho, 2012; Brasil, 2014). With significant increase in the number of cases and expansion of the disease incidence area, CVL was prioritized by the World Health Organization among tropical diseases. In Rio de Janeiro (RJ), CVL was unknown until mid-1977, when the first case was reported in the western region (Salazar et al, 1979), and since infection control has been achieved in the affected areas, cases CVL remain. (Marzochi et al, 2009)

Case report

Findings

Discussion