title: Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in stray and pet dogs in Grenada, West Indies.
abstract: American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic to parts of South America and the Caribbean. Infected dogs are important in the epidemiology of the parasite as they can play a role in the transmission of the parasite to humans. A total of 399 dog sera (242 stray and 157 pet dogs) were examined for T. cruzi infection; using a qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick test, based on recombinant antigens specific for American trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma detect rapid test; InBios international, Inc., Seattle, Washington). Overall seroprevalence for T. cruzi was estimated at 10.5% (95% confidence interval: 7.5% to 13.5%); with stray dogs being significantly more affected (p<0.05, χ2). Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are moderately exposed to T. cruzi compared to other areas in the region.
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chikweto
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumthekar
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Academic Program, St. George's University, P. O. Box 7, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Perea
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Academic Program, St. George's University, P. O. Box 7, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D019425:Grenada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan