Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Dec 2014)

Outbreak of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Barra Mansa, State of Rio de Janeiro

  • Cintia Xavier de Mello,
  • Fabiano Borges Figueiredo,
  • Artur Augusto Velho Mendes Júnior,
  • Marina Carvalho Furtado,
  • Luciana Freitas Campos de Miranda,
  • Maria de Fátima Madeira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0042-2014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 47, no. 6
pp. 788 – 790

Abstract

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Introduction In Brazil, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has spread to various regions. This study reports canine cases of VL in Barra Mansa, where human VL cases were recently reported. Methods Using the human index case, a canine survey was performed by dual-path platform immunochromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seropositive animals were euthanized. Cultures were collected to detect Leishmania parasites. Results Serological tests detected 141 canine VL cases, and Leishmania chagasi were isolated from 82.2% animals. Conclusions Leishmania chagasi is in circulation in Barra Mansa. This study broadens information on the parasite's distribution in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

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