Canine visceral leishmaniasis: seroprevalence and risk factors in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic and the number of cases in humans and dogs has increased in the Midwest region. A transversal study was carried out in endemic areas from Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso, to assess data on seroprevalence and risk factors associated to canine infection. Four hundred and thirty (430) dogs were randomly evaluated through indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) considering variables related to the animals, the environment and the knowledge by owners on CVL aspects and control. From 430 dogs, 95 (22.1%) were seroreagent for leishmaniasis and animals living in rural environments present risk 1.9 times higher for acquiring the disease than those in urban environments (p = 0.01; OR 1.9). Factors related to animals' habits, such as free access to the street and guard function were considered indicators to predict infection by Leishmania sp. (p < 0.05) by statistical univariate analysis. The presence of agricultural activities was also a fact that contributed for the insurgence of the infection (p = 0.02; OR 1.68). The results contributed to the knowledge on the aspects of CVL in Cuiabá and point to an urgent need to include educational and sanitary programs in the city, since the region presents favorable characteristics for spreading the infection of CVL as already observed in other Brazilian cities.Keywords: Canine visceral leishmaniasis, dogs, risk factors, infection, Brazil. ResumoNo Brasil, a leishmaniose visceral canina (CLV) é endêmica e, na região Centro-Oeste, o número de casos em humanos e cães tem aumentado. Um estudo transversal foi realizado em áreas endêmicas de Cuiabá (MT) com objetivo de avaliar dados sobre a soroprevalência e determinar os fatores de risco associados à infecção canina. Quatrocentos e trinta (430) cães foram aleatoriamente avaliados pelo teste de imunofluorescência indireta, considerando-se variáveis relacionadas aos animais, o ambiente e o conhecimento por parte dos proprietários sobre aspectos da CLV e seu controle. Dos 430 cães, 95 (22,1%) apresentaram-se soros reagentes para leishmaniose, e os animais que viviam em ambiente rural apresentaram risco 1,9 vezes maior de adquirir a infecção dos que aqueles em ambiente urbano (p = 0,01; OR 1,9). Fatores relacionados aos hábitos dos animais, tais como o livre acesso à rua e função de guarda, foram considerados indicadores para prever a infecção por Leishmania sp. (p < 0,05) em análise estatística univariada. A presença de atividade agrícola foi também um fato que contribuiu para a ocorrência da infecção (p = 0,02; OR 1,68). Os resultados contribuem para o conhecimento sobre os aspectos da CVL em Cuiabá e apontam para uma necessidade urgente de incluir ações educativas e sanitárias na cidade, já que a região possui características favoráveis para a dispersão da doença como já observado em outras cidades.Palavras-chave: Leishmaniose visceral canina, cães, fatores de risco, infecção, Brasil.

Rural area of the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands associated with the occurrence of anti-<i>Leishmania</i> spp. antibodies in dogs

“…Anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul have been reported by other researchers, with frequencies higher than that observed in this work and according to the particular characteristics of each region under study (NUNES et al, 2001;CORTADA et al, 2004;ANDRADE et al, 2009;ALMEIDA et al, 2012;SOUSA et al, 2013;BRITO et al, 2014). This may be related to the opportunist feeding behavior of the vector.…”

“…Furthermore, the presence of livestock and agriculture may represent a risk of disease because it can stimulate the establishment of sand flies in these environments, especially regarding that in the Pantanal area livestock activities and tourism related to fishing and safari are among the most important economic activities (MOREIRA JUNIOR et al, 2003;ALMEIDA et al, 2012). Based on these facts, the study of leishmaniasis in Brazil's Pantanal wetland is of great significance to human and animal health and it is possible to conclude that future research on this disease is essential in this region.…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in dogs of riverside communities of Mato Grosso Pantanal, Brazil

“…In this research, the frequency of healthy dogs and those presenting any clinical changes were similar; however, it is not possible to attribute such changes to infection by T. gondii, given the endemic nature of other diseases such as canine ehrlichiosis and canine visceral leishmaniasis (SILVA et al, 2010;ALMEIDA et al, 2012).…”

Epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in Jaciara, Mato Grosso, Brazil, 2003 to 2012

“…In a study in Cuiabá, MT, on 430 dogs from urban and rural locations, Almeida et al (2012) found that the mean prevalence of dogs seropositive for visceral leishmaniasis was 22,1%. In an endemic area of San Luis, state of Maranhão, Barbosa et al (2010) observed a high frequency of positive dogs (67%), and in the same state, Felipe et al (2011) found a canine infection rate of 47.8% in the municipality of Raposa.…”