title: Seroepidemiologic Survey of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Tehran and Alborz Provinces of Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A two year seroepidemiological study was designed to find out the seroprevalence and risk factors of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) among stray and owned dogs in Tehran and Alborz Provinces of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples of 602 dogs living in 11 counties of Tehran and Alborz Provinces were taken by venipuncture in 2008-2010. After separation of blood sera, anti-leishmanial antibodies were detected by direct agglutination test (DAT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, of the 408 and 194 serum samples collected randomly from dogs in 11 localities in Tehran and Alborz Provinces, 18/408 (4.41%) and 12/194 (6.18%) respectively were found positive. Among the localities, Shemiran in Tehran Province and Karaj In Alborz Province had the highest prevalence rates. No statistically significant differences were found between sex and living place but there was significant difference between living status (owned or stray) and CVL infection of dogs in Alborz Province (P= 0.018). The highest seroprevalence (7.5%) was found in dogs aged 3 to 5 years old. Only 20% of the seropositive dogs were symptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concerning possible human infections in Tehran and Alborz Provinces, both symptomatic and asymptomatic seropositive dogs should be considered as a risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdolali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malmasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janitabar
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohebali
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akhoundi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nadi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aramoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khorrami
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Hesam A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Seifi
keywords: Direct Agglutination Test; Dog; Iran; Visceral leishmaniasis