title: Canine visceral leishmaniasis in the Northeast Region of Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis that affects dogs and other mammals, including humans. Contact with dogs is a major risk factor for humans. This disease is endemic in several regions of Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Leishmania spp. infection in dogs and to correlate it with possible risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected from 391 dogs of different ages, breeds, and both genders, coming from Campina Grande, Paraíba state, Brazil. An epidemiological questionnaire was employed in order to identify risk factors associated with the disease. Serological tests were performed using indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA S7®) and polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leishmania spp. antibodies were detected in 33 (8.4 %) and 17 (4.3 %) dogs according to the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA S7®), respectively. PCR results indicated the presence of L. chagasi DNA in only eight (2 %) blood samples. There was a significant association between reactive animals and contact with animals from different houses (OR = 4.1; p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that CVL may occur in urban areas. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the association among different diagnostic tests may lead to a more accurate identification of positive animals, which might help to improve the disease control and prevent euthanasia in false-positive results.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávio Gonçalves
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo Brazil ; Diagnostic Service in Zoonosis, Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), District of Rubião Junior, s/n, CEP 18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo Brazil.
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Langoni
authors.affiliation: Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, Starkville, MS USA.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Costa da
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tereza Emmanuelle de Farias
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Rotondano
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, Paraíba Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcia Almeida de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.affiliation: São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo Brazil.
authors.forename: Giselle Souza da
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Paz
keywords: Diagnosis; Dog; Kala-azar; Risk factors; Zoonosis