title: Seroepidemiological aspects of Leishmania spp. in dogs in the Itaguai micro-region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: This study evaluated factors associated with the frequency of Leishmania spp. antibodies in dogs residing in the Itaguai micro-region, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 524 dogs. The serum samples were submitted to indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Leishmania spp. The frequency of seropositive dogs was 28.24% (n = 148) in the micro-region, and among the three municipalities within that region, the highest frequency (p < 0.05) was observed in Seropedica (59.46%), followed by Itaguai (29.05%) and Mangaratiba (11.49%). Regarding factors associated with the host, mongrel dogs and those over the age of two presented higher frequency of antibodies to Leishmania spp. (p < 0.05). Concerning factors related to the environment and habits of the animal, dogs residing in rural areas (FR = 1.67, p = 0.0002), living outside the residence (FR = 1.42, p = 0.0197), with access to forest, streams and pastures (FR = 2.81, p = 0.0007), remaining loose (FR = 1.66, p = 0.0073), and those that had no shelter (FR = 2.16, p < 0.0001) were more likely to be seropositive. Canine leishmaniasis is a disease with high occurrence in the Itaguai micro-region, and aspects such as the definition of breed, age, habits and care by owners showed significant association in this micro-region.
authors.forename: Claudia Bezerra da
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Joice Aparecida Rezende
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vilela
authors.forename: Marcus Sandes
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.forename: Huarrisson Azevedo
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falqueto
authors.forename: Maristela Peckle
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Thais de Andrade
authors.initials: Tde A
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Fernanda Nunes
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Valmir Laurentino
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Argemiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanavria
authors.forename: Carlos Luiz
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Massard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan