Distribuição espacial da leishmaniose visceral canina no município de Petrolina, estado de Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

The goal of this study was to use geographical information system to demonstrate the spatial distribution of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis and evaluate the clinical, serological and parasitological status of dogs with natural infection of L. infantum from Petrolina County, Pernambuco State, Brazil. Serum samples from 600 dogs were collected and were tested using commercial ELISA. The geographical coordinates of study area were acquired using a hand-held Global Position System apparatus and the geographical analysis was carried out using of ArcGIS and ArqMap software. The prevalence of canine infection was 19.20% and the disease was more prevalent in the urban than rural area. Although only 37.40% (43/115) of the seropositive dogs had clinical signs, particularly skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, weight loss and onychogryphosis. The parasitological results showed amastigotes forms of L. infantum in bone narrow, (39.53%), in lymph node (16.27%) and skin (11.62). In conclusion Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis is urbanized in Petrolina County, and human actions reflected in the endemicity of the disease canine.