Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research (Sep 2017)

Sero-prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among dogs in VL endemic areas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh

  • Ariful Islam,
  • Md Lutfar Rahman,
  • Shariful Islam,
  • Premanondo Debnath,
  • Mahabub Alam,
  • Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2017.d217
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 3
pp. 241 – 248

Abstract

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Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among street and owned dogs at Trishal Upazila of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. Material and methods: Blood was collected asceptically from targeted dogs and serum was separated out using standard centrifigation method. The rK39-antigen-based dipstick test was used to detect anti-leishmania antibodies in serum. Results: The study revealed that 35% of the dogs in the study area were sero-positive for L. donovani. Living status of the dogs (street or owned) was a potential risk factor and sero-prevalence was significantly higher in free roaming street dogs (P=0.009) and dogs with skin lesions and enlarged lymph nodes (P<0.05). The female and adult dogs were more susceptible. Conclusion: VL is an important zoonotic disease wich is transmissible to humans by the bite of phlebotomine sand fly. Dogs are the main reservoir. The higher sero-prevalence of VL indicates the potential rule of dogs to maintain the zoonosis wich need to be explored more specifically by isolation and typing of the parasite. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 241-248]

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