title: Management of canine leishmaniosis in endemic SW European regions: a questionnaire-based multinational survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a widespread endemic disease in SW Europe. This study was designed to determine how veterinarians clinically manage CanL in this region by analysing information collected in a questionnaire completed by local veterinarians working in clinics in France, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Italy and Slovenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over the period 2004-2011, a questionnaire on CanL was sent to 12,546 small animal clinics located in the six countries surveyed. The questionnaire with 10 items comprising open and closed questions sought to obtain comparable data regarding the main clinical manifestations of CanL, the diagnostic methods used, the treatment regimens selected, recommended preventive measures and awareness of the important public health implications of CanL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data collected reflect similarities in the clinical manifestations reported although there was some variation in the concurrent diseases described, and wide variation in the clinical management of CanL among the countries examined in terms of dosing regimens, therapeutic agents and the criteria used to diagnose CanL. Most veterinarians properly informed dog owners about the preventive measures available and about the zoonotic implications of CanL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey describes the current situation in SW endemic countries in Europe regarding the clinical management of CanL. The data collected reveal a need to unify criteria from evidence-based medicine to determine and similarly apply the best diagnostic and treatment methods available for this disease in the different countries.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bourdeau
authors.forename: Manolis N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Saridomichelakis
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kotnik
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gálvez
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Foglia Manzillo
authors.forename: Alex F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Koutinas
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pereira da Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda, Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. gmiro@ucm.es.
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miró
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003625:Data Collection; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires