Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
First cases of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in Ji-Paraná Brazil
By Almeida, Aliny Pontes et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2021·Curso de Medicina Veteriná·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The spread of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: the first canine cases described in Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, Brazil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs in Ji-Paraná, Brazil, tested positive for visceral leishmaniasis, a serious disease caused by a parasite that can also affect humans. The researchers found the parasite's DNA in the blood samples of these dogs, indicating they were infected. This is concerning because dogs can spread the disease to humans, and these cases mark the first reported instances of canine leishmaniasis in this area. The findings highlight the need for increased monitoring and public health efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.
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Abstract
Leishmaniases are zoonotic diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The disease has two clinical manifestations described in humans: visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis. In Brazil, there has been an expansion of human VL. The participation of the dog as a reservoir of Leishmania infantum, the agent of VL, is important for the epidemiology of the disease since canine cases generally precede human cases. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Leishmania spp. infection in dogs in the municipality of Ji-Paraná by PCR assays using blood samples. Leishmania DNA was detected in two of the 105 studied dogs. The PCR products were sequenced and confirmed that the two samples (1.90%) correspond to L. infantum. The dogs had allochthonous history. Therefore, the positive results found here should serve as a warning to public health agencies. This is because Ji-Paraná is the third municipality to register cases of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Rondônia state. Thus, reinforcing the importance of expanding studies on the epidemiology and surveillance of VL in the region.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34852154/