Performance of IFAT, ELISA, direct parasitological examination and PCR on lymph node aspirates for canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis

Jb Camargo,Jg Machado,Mz Troncarelli,Cr Padovani,H Langoni,Sb Lucheis

doi:10.1590/s1678-91992010000300007

Abstract

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic in numerous Brazilian regions. The greatest difficulty in controlling the disease is the diagnostic limitation. In the present study, the most common tests employed for visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis were compared: immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), direct parasitological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Samples of lymph node aspirates and blood were collected from 100 dogs that lived in an endemic area (Bauru city, Sao Paulo state) and from 100 negative controls from a non-endemic area (Botucatu city, Sao Paulo state). Specificity of both IFAT and PCR was 100% whereas ELISA was 99%. Sensitivities were 97.77, 93.33 and 91.11% respectively for IFAT, ELISA and PCR.

Highlights

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a global zoonosis
Forty-five dogs were positive by the lymph node direct parasitological examination and 44 of them were positive by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT)
Sensitivity and specificity of IFAT, ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the present study were elevated, indicating that these techniques may be used in CVL diagnosis

Summary

Introduction

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a global zoonosis. Dogs are the main reservoirs in urban areas due to their close contact with humans and the high prevalence of the disease among these animals. In Brazil, basically involve the treatment of human cases, spraying of houses and nearby areas with residual insecticides and the identification and euthanasia of dogs that are serologically positive [1]. The disease continues to become more common in endemic areas [2]. The main difficulty in controlling CVL is its diagnosis, which is based on antibody detection and presents many limitations [3]. The association of diagnostic methods may improve the detection of infection among canine populations. Positive dogs constitute reservoirs and sources of infection to humans and other animals, and are euthanized

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Conclusion