Soroprevalência e avaliação clínica da leishmaniose visceral canina no município de Colares, estado do Pará.

Abstract

For the elaboration of more effective control measures for reducing the number of cases of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis (HVL), the information on the prevalence of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is vital. In the state of Pará, this information is scarce in most of its municipalities. Thus, a study was conducted in order to determine the seroprevalence and to evaluate the clinicai changes in CVL in the city of Colares, state of Pará. 435 blood serum samples were collected and analyzed, from dogs of both sexes, aged from 4 months, with or without standard breed and with or without clinicai symptoms suggesting the disease, from the neighborhoods and rural localities. The serology was performed using immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA/S7) and Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) methods in fixed slides with Leishmania infantum antigens. The result of seroprevalence was 9.9%. The gender variable showed no significant prevalence (P> .05). Significant prevalence of CVL and the age and clinicai classification variables (P <.05) were observed. The seroprevalence was higher for dogs under 2 years old and for those classified as clinically symptomatic, and onychogryphosis and skin changes were the most common clinicai changes. In the studied localities, the frequency of seropositive dogs based on ELISA, IFA and ELISA + IFA reactions was 86.1 and 74.1% by ELISA, in Juçarateua and Uriri respectively, 55.1 and 48% to the IFA, in Ariri and Genipaúba da Laura respectively, and 30.5, 22.4, and 20% to the ELISA + IFA in Juçarateua, Ariri and Guajará respectively. The results obtained in this study are the first confirmation of seroprevalence in the city of Colares and they contribute for the development of measures for controlling CVL in the state of Pará.