Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs in Grenada tested for leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis
By Rosypal, Alexa C et al.·Published in The Journal of parasitology·2010·Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis and American trypanosomiasis in dogs from Grenada, West Indies.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in Grenada found that only 3 out of 70 dogs tested positive for antibodies to American trypanosomiasis (AT), a disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. This means that about 4.3% of the dogs had been exposed to this parasite, while no dogs showed signs of exposure to visceral leishmaniasis, another related disease. The findings suggest that while there is some low-level exposure to AT in dogs on the island, visceral leishmaniasis is not a concern for them. Pet owners in Grenada can be reassured that their dogs are not at risk for visceral leishmaniasis.
People also search for: dog leishmaniasis symptoms · American trypanosomiasis in dogs · dog disease exposure Grenada
Abstract
Canine leishmaniasis and American trypanosomiasis (AT) are caused by related hemoflagellated parasites, Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, which share several common host species. Dogs are reservoirs for human infections by both pathogens. We determined the prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi in dogs from Grenada, West Indies. We examined 70 dog sera using the qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick tests (ICTs) based on recombinant antigens specific for visceral leishmaniasis and AT. Antibodies to visceral Leishmania were not detected in Grenadian dogs by ICT. Using the canine dipsticks for AT, antibodies to T. cruzi were determined in 3 (4.3%) of the 70 dogs. Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are exposed in low levels to T. cruzi , but not to visceral Leishmania spp. at all.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19712013/