Abstract
BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions. Most of the individuals infected in Latin America are in Brazil. Despite the control measures that have been adopted, the disease is spreading throughout new regions of the country. Domestic dogs are involved in the transmission cycle and are considered to be the main epidemiologic reservoir of Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CL) and Ehrlichiosis infection in Presidente Prudente as well as the spatial dispersion of the disease in the western region of São Paulo state.MethodsDogs underwent clinical examination and symptoms related to CL were recorded. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected using ELISA, rK39-immunocromatographic tests (DPP), and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-E. canis antibodies were detected by IFAT. A follow-up was conducted in dogs that were positive in the ELISA at the baseline study. Data on the spatial distribution of L. longipalpis and CL in São Paulo state were obtained from Brazilian public health agencies.ResultsSerum samples from 4547 dogs were analyzed. The seroprevalence of CL was 11.2 % by ELISA and 4.5 % by IFAT. In the follow-up, seroprevalence was 32.9 % by ELISA, 15.3 % by IFAT, 11.8 % by DPP test, and 66.5 % for E. canis. There was a significant positive association between Leishmania and E. canis infection (P < 0.0001). In the follow-up, clinical examinations revealed symptoms compatible with CL in 33.5 % of the dogs. L. longipalpis was found in 24 and CL in 15 counties of the Presidente Prudente mesoregion. The dispersion route followed the west frontier of São Paulo state toward Paraná state.ConclusionsLow CL and high ehrlichiosis prevalence rates were found in Presidente Prudente city. This emerging focus of CL is moving through the western region of São Paulo state toward the border of Paraná state. Integrated actions to fight the vector, parasites, infected dogs, and humans are needed to monitor the disease and implement strategies for epidemiologic control.
Highlights
Visceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions
Clinical examinations were performed and of the serum samples submitted to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for canine leishmaniasis (CL), 509 (11.2 %) were positive (Fig. 1): 204 samples were positive by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), with a seroprevalence rate of 4.5 % (Fig. 1)
Leishmaniasis has been detected in humans and dogs in the western region of São Paulo state, the first in the municipality of Dracena in 2005, considered by Brazil Health Ministry to be an area with a high transmission rate [4,5,6]
Summary
Visceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions. Domestic dogs are involved in the transmission cycle and are considered to be the main epidemiologic reservoir of Leishmania infantum Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an emerging zoonosis of great significance to public health; its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions [1]. Zoonotic VL is a potentially fatal disease and domestic dogs are considered the main epidemiologic reservoir of L. infantum To control the spread of the disease, the Brazilian Ministry of Health created the Visceral Leishmaniasis Control and Surveillance Program (VLCSP), which is in charge of measures throughout the country, such as early diagnosis and treatment of human VL, identification and euthanasia of seropositive dogs, control of insect vectors, and health education [2]. A rickettsia microorganism transmitted by ticks, is one of the major vector-borne diseases in dogs with a worldwide distribution and is directly involved in the infection and spread of CL [3]
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