Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 2, 2007
Publication Date: November 5, 2007
Citation: Rosypal, A.C., Cortes-Vecino, J.A., Gennari, S.M., Dubey, J.P., Tidwell, R.R., Lindsay, D.S. 2007. Serological survey of Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs from urban areas of Brazil and Colombia. Veterinary Parasitology. 149:172-177.
Interpretive Summary: Leishmania species are protozoan parasites related to Sarcocystis, Toxoplama, and Neospora and all three can cause severe disease in dogs including dermatitis.
Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the Virginia Tech. report results on a new Leishmania antigen for the diagnosis of infections in dogs. The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, public health workers, and veterinarians.
Technical Abstract:
Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi are zoonotic parasites that are endemic throughout many parts of Latin America. Infected dogs play an important role in transmission of both parasites to humans. A serological survey of Leishmania and Trypanosoma infection was conducted on 365 dogs from São Paulo, Brazil and Bogatá, Colombia, South America. Serum samples were examined by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The overall seroprevalence of L. infantum in dogs was 2.5% (9/365). Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected in 5 of 107 from Brazil (4.7 %) and in 4 of 258 dogs (1.6 %) from Colombia. Titers ranged from 1:25 to 1:100. Anti-T. cruzi antibodies were not detected in any of the dogs from either Brazil or Colombia. The results show a low seroprevalence of anti-Leishmania antibodies and no antibodies against T. cruzi in these canine populations. Our study suggests that dogs play a limited role in the spread of L. infantum and T. cruzi in these urban areas of Brazil and Colombia.
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