Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leishmania infantum infection in domestic dogs in Manaus Brazil
By Nascimento de Campos, Hevila Gabrieli et al.·Published in Journal of medical entomology·2024·Programa de Pó, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Molecular and serological detection of Leishmania infantum (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) in domestic dogs in Manaus city, Amazonas, Brazil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In Manaus, Brazil, a study found that 39% of 154 domestic dogs tested positive for Leishmania infantum, a parasite that can cause leishmaniasis, a serious disease. Symptoms in dogs can include skin lesions, weight loss, and lethargy, but many dogs may not show signs until the disease is advanced. The study revealed that dogs with access to the street and those living in certain areas were more likely to be infected. This is the first report of this parasite in dogs in Manaus, highlighting the need for further research and monitoring to protect both pets and people from this disease.
People also search for: dog leishmaniasis symptoms · Leishmania treatment for dogs · Manaus dog health issues
Abstract
Leishmaniasis are zoonosis widely spread in Brazil, caused by the protozoan of the genus Leishmania, which includes several species. The disease manifests itself in the visceral or tegumentary form, and the main reservoir is the dogs. Manaus is the largest city in the Brazilian Amazon region, and despite the importance of the municipality, practically nothing is known about leishmaniosis in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and risk factors associated with the presence of Leishmania infantum in domiciliated dogs from Manaus. Molecular (polymerase chain reaction) and serological (immunofluorescent antibody test) methods were used as an indication of the circulation of the parasite. Blood samples for 154 domiciled dogs were obtained, and prevalence ratio and analysis of the variables were performed. Serum antibodies anti-Leishmania spp. were detected in 20.8% (95% CI: 14.4%-27.2%). Access to the street and zone of residence (P < 0.01) were associated with higher seropositivity. Molecular diagnosis for L. infantum detected positivity in 60 (39%) of the 154 (95% CI: 31.3%-46.7%) animals, and the variables street access, contact with dogs, and zone of residence were associated with higher frequencies of positivity (P < 0.05). Both serology and molecular diagnosis detected positive dogs in the municipality. This is the first description of the circulation of L. infantum infecting dogs in Manaus. As the municipality is classified as nonendemic, studies of isolation and characterization of the isolate must be done urgently.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39182231/