Prevalence and associated factors of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Fujimori, MahyumiAlmeida, Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira deDias, Álvaro Felipe Lima RuyRodrigues, Juliana YukiNakazato, LucianoMadeira, Maria de FátimaSousa, Valéria Régia Franco
Background: Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic and severe disease of great interest to global public health. In Brazil, the main species causing visceral leishmaniasis is Leishmania chagasi [syn. Leishmania infantum], which is transmitted by sandflies of the species Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. cruzi. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs residing in endemic areas of the municipality of Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso. Material, Methods & Results: The study was conducted in the Várzea Grande neighbourhoods Jardim Eldorado, Parque Sabiá and São Mateus, which are located in the Brazilian Cerrado region and are endemic for visceral leishmaniasis. The Várzea Grande is a mostly commercial and industrial municipality and relies on subsistence farming. To describe the general characteristics of the dog population and housing environment, an interview was carried out with the dog owners in each household. This interview addressed local demographics and the identification of dogs to establish epidemiological aspects of canine illness and risk factors for infection. The dogs were examined and physically restrained for blood collection by jugular venipuncture. For serological testing, a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used. A Chi-square test or Fishers exact test was used to identify associations [...](AU)
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