Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ()

Seroepidemiological aspects ofLeishmania spp. in dogs in the Itaguai micro-region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Claudia Bezerra da Silva,
  • Joice Aparecida Rezende Vilela,
  • Marcus Sandes Pires,
  • Huarrisson Azevedo Santos,
  • Aline Falqueto,
  • Maristela Peckle Peixoto,
  • Thais de Andrade Oliveira,
  • Fernanda Nunes Santos,
  • Valmir Laurentino Silva,
  • Argemiro Sanavria,
  • Carlos Luiz Massard

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612013000100009
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 39 – 45

Abstract

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This study evaluated factors associated with the frequency ofLeishmania spp. antibodies in dogs residing in the Itaguai micro-region, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 524 dogs. The serum samples were submitted to indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) forLeishmania spp. The frequency of seropositive dogs was 28.24% (n = 148) in the micro-region, and among the three municipalities within that region, the highest frequency (p < 0.05) was observed in Seropedica (59.46%), followed by Itaguai (29.05%) and Mangaratiba (11.49%). Regarding factors associated with the host, mongrel dogs and those over the age of two presented higher frequency of antibodies to Leishmaniaspp. (p < 0.05). Concerning factors related to the environment and habits of the animal, dogs residing in rural areas (FR = 1.67, p = 0.0002), living outside the residence (FR = 1.42, p = 0.0197), with access to forest, streams and pastures (FR = 2.81, p = 0.0007), remaining loose (FR = 1.66, p = 0.0073), and those that had no shelter (FR = 2.16, p < 0.0001) were more likely to be seropositive. Canine leishmaniasis is a disease with high occurrence in the Itaguai micro-region, and aspects such as the definition of breed, age, habits and care by owners showed significant association in this micro-region.

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