Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk factors for Leishmania exposure in dogs in rural Brazil
By Spada, Julio Cesar Pereira et al.·Published in Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical·2020·Universidade Estadual Paulista·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk factors associated with Leishmania exposure among dogs in a rural area of Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about one in three dogs in a rural area of Brazil tested positive for Leishmania, a parasite that can cause serious health issues. Larger dogs and those living near chickens were more likely to have been exposed to this parasite. Additionally, dog owners who were less informed about Leishmania also had dogs with higher exposure rates. Understanding these risk factors can help pet owners take preventive measures to protect their dogs from this disease.
People also search for: dog Leishmania exposure risk · large dog health issues · how to prevent Leishmania in dogs
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine risk factors (RFs) associated with the presence of antibodies against Leishmania in dogs from a rural area of Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 250 dogs and tested using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). Data concerning dogs, their environment, and their owners' knowledge of leishmaniasis were collected using a questionnaire. To determine RFs for contact with the parasite, univariate statistical analysis based on chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, followed by logistic regression, was used. RESULTS: It was found that 79/250 (31.6%) of the dogs were positive by IFAT, and 72/250 (28.8%) by ELISA. A total of 82/250 dogs (32.8%) were positive in at least one test. The RFs associated with occurrences of Leishmania exposure were large body size (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.26-4.04; p = 0.003), presence of chickens (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.05-3.65; p = 0.023), and lack of knowledge about Leishmania among dog owners (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 0.96-3.21; p = 0.049). After multivariate analysis, the RFs for occurrence of Leishmania exposure in dogs that remained significantly associated were the dog's size (large dogs) (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.06-1.35; p = 0.003) and presence of chickens on the properties (small farms) (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.02-1.30; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: These results may be useful for improving preventive practices to reduce the incidence of Leishmania exposure among dogs in rural areas.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32935780/