Aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e de diagnóstico em cães (Canis familiares) (Linnaeus, 1758) naturalmente infectados por Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi (Cunha & Chagas, 1937)

Abstract

Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis (ZVL) is a widespread disease in Brazil, particularly in the Northeast area having the dog as its main reservoir. ZVL has shown environmental changes in its transmission pattern through urbanization. The goal of this paper was to diagnose and evaluate clinical features in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in Recife City. In addition, two Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) made with different antigens for the diagnosis of the canine ZVL in the metropolitan region of Recife have been compared . For this purpose 142 animals which were submitted to the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco presenting clinical signs suggestive of ZVL were used. The diagnosis of positive animals was performed through clinical examination, parasitological and serologic exams. The most frequent clinical signs were ulcers, present in 82.8% (29/36) animals followed by onicogriphosis in 60% (18/36). It was also observed that 88.23% (15/17) animals from Recife city were positive for anti–Leishmania antibodies. As for the comparison between the different ELISA systems used in the ZVL diagnosis, EIELeishmaniose- Visceral-Canina–Bio-Manguinhos kit presented sensibility of 65.79% and specificity of 85,58% (IC 95%),and ELISA S7® Biogene kit presented sensibility of 47.37% and specificity of 89.,42% (IC 95%). Results suggest the absence of a pathognomonic sign in CVL and an urbanization process of this zoonosis in Recife City.