Autochthonous canine visceral leishmaniasis in a non-endemic area: Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
The article begins by describing a dog with characteristic symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis. A serum sample from this animal was positive by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) performed in anti-Leishmania total IgG in 1999. Tissues from the same dog were also positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 2004, identifying Leishmania DNA in the cerebellum, liver, kidney, and intestine. This is the first report of a dog with autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in the county of Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The finding of this IIF-positive dog led to a canine visceral leishmaniasis epidemiological investigation in the county. The investigation was conducted from March 1999 to December 2005. IIF was positive for Leishmania in 22 (3%) of 734 examined dogs. Among the 22 IIF-positive dogs, six presented characteristic symptoms of canine visceral leishmaniasis. The results of this epidemiological investigation were sent to local and State public health authorities, requesting visceral leishmaniasis control and preventive measures to interrupt transmission of the disease and avoid the occurrence of human cases.
Silva
Marcio Roberto
MR
Núcleo de Qualidade do Leite, Saúde Animal e Socioeconomia, Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, Brasil. mrsilva@cnpgl.embrapa.br
Marques
Marcos José
MJ
Romanha
Alvaro José
AJ
Santa-Rosa
Idael Christiano de Almeida
IC
Carneiro
Cláudia M
CM
Reis
Alexandre Barbosa
AB
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014505:Urban Population
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G