[Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in wild canids kept in captivity in the State of Mato Grosso].
BACKGROUND
Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonosis that affects many mammals, and domestic canids are the main reservoirs in urban environments. This note describes infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi among wild canids kept in captivity in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.


METHODS
Skin, bone marrow and lymph node samples were collected from six crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and one bush dog (Spheotos venaticus), in order to detect and characterize Leishmania using the PCR-RFLP technique.


RESULTS
All the animals studied were positive for Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the importance of adequate monitoring of these animals, as well as greater control of this disease, given that these animals are in a public recreation environment.
Souza
Nely Pinheiro
NP
Departamento de Clínica Médica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT.
Almeida
Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de
Ado B
Freitas
Tatiana Pádua Tavares de
TP
Paz
Regina Celia Rodrigues da
RC
Dutra
Valéria
V
Nakazato
Luciano
L
Sousa
Valéria Régia Franco
VR
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000469:parasitology*; D001938:Brazil; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male