Seroprevalence and spatial distribution of canine leishmaniasis in an endemic region in Brazil: how has the situation changed after 10 years?

• Main Authors: Talita Nayara Bezerra Lins, Islanne Barbosa de Souza, Guilherme Mota Maciel do Rêgo Barros, Cléber Vinícius Brito dos Santos, Rômulo Pessoa e Silva, Leucio Câmara Alves, Gílcia Aparecida de Carvalho, Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Series: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Subjects: Visceral leishmaniasis; Canine visceral leishmaniais; Urban area; Spatial distribution
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822018000500680&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Herein, we assessed the seroprevalence and spatial distribution of Leishmania infantum in dogs in Garanhuns, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Sera samples (n = 242) were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The spatial distribution of dogs seropositive for anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies was evaluated using kernel density estimation. RESULTS: A total of 2.4% (6/242) of the animals were seropositive for anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. The kernel map showed their distribution to be heterogeneous over the city, with a hotspot in the northeastern region. CONCLUSIONS: The reported data illustrate the circulation of parasites of the genus Leishmania in a canine population.