Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis in the State of Paraíba, Brazil

• Main Authors: Raizza Barros Sousa Silva, Maurina Lima Porto, Werona de Oliveira Barbosa, Heitor Cândido de Souza, Nedja Fernanda dos Santos Pinto Marques, Sérgio Santos Azevedo, Paulo Paes de Andrade, Marcia Almeida de Melo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Series: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Subjects: Dogs; ELISA; Leishmania sp; Prevalence
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822018000500683&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraíba State. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 411 dogs in four municipalities of Paraíba State. The seroprevalence was assessed by using ELISA. RESULTS: The seroprevalence ranged from 7.2% to 20%. The risk factors that were associated with the disease were the presence of ticks and contact with other animals. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis is high in Paraíba, indicating the need for health authorities to resume visceral leishmaniasis control activities. The ruralization of suburban areas in the region tends to homogenize the risk factors between suburban and rural areas.