Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by protozoa in the genus Leishmania, typical of rural and peri-urban environments. The causative agent of American visceral leishmaniasis is Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi and the main insect vector in Brazil is Lutzomyia longipalpis. Dogs (Canis familiaris) are important in the transmission of the disease, as a reservoir closely related to humans and an infection source for phlebotomine vectors. Since 1990, an increasing number of feline leishmaniasis cases have been reported, suggesting that domestic cats (Felis catus) might be involved in the epidemiology of the disease. The present study analyzed the prevalence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in naturally infected domestic cats from various neighborhoods in the municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil, using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and the direct agglutination test (DAT). Among the 443 samples tested, 18 (4.06%) presented positive reactions in the IFA. The observed titers were 40 IU in 4.97% of the samples and 80 IU in 0.90%. In the DAT test, positive results were found in 25 (5.64%) of the samples. The observed titers were also 40 IU (4.97%) and 80 IU (0.68%). The agreement rate between the two tests was considered low (Kappa coefficient = 0.10).Keywords: Indirect immunofluorescence assay, direct agglutination test, leishmaniasis, cats.
ResumoAs leishmanioses são zoonoses vetoriais causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania, características de ambientes rurais e periurbanos. A leishmaniose visceral americana (LVA) é causada pela Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi, cujo principal vetor no Brasil é Lutzomyia longipalpis. O cão (Canis familiaris) possui papel ativo na transmissão da doença, pois é um reservatório muito próximo do humano e uma fonte de infecção para o flebotomíneo. O aumento do número de casos de leishmaniose felina, descritos na literatura a partir de 1990, sugere Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, Kinetoplastida order, Trypanosomatidae family, and transmitted by phlebotomine species, causing tegumental and visceral injuries (ROSA, 2009). In the parasitic life cycle, promastigotes are found in the vector and amastigotes are found in the infected host tissues (BANETH, 2006). Leishmaniasis is typical of rural and peri-urban environments. Domestic and wild mammals can be infected; humans are considered accidental hosts of the protozoa (CURI et al., 2006).The dog (Canis familiaris) has an active role in the transmission of the disease as an asymptomatic reservoir that is closely related to humans and an infection source to phlebotomine vectors (COURTENAY et al., 2002).American visceral leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi, and is a serious public health problem in Brazil owing to the wide geographical distribution v. 24, n. 4, out.-dez. 2015 465 Leishmania spp. in cats of the disease, high incidence, and the ability to lead to a severe clinical form that ...