Epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in the city of Eunápolis / Bahia
Leishmania chagasi, Canine visceral leishmaniasis, Bahia, dog, epidemiology
Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (LVC) is a zoonosis caused by intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania, in Brazil predominantly caused by the species Leishmania infantum, with the domestic dog as a reservoir of great relevance due to its proximity to humans due to its domestication. Knowledge of the epidemiology of CVL is of great importance for health surveillance activities, since they generally precede cases of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis. The accurate diagnosis of these animals is of paramount importance for the control and transmission of the disease, it is based on clinical signs, which do not always follow a pattern, in association with epidemiology and laboratory tests, which may include serological and molecular methods. This pioneering study in the region proposes to carry out an epidemiological survey of the serology of dogs infected by Leishmania spp., in an epidemiologically unknown area for CVL, using 243 animals born in the municipality of Eunápolis. Positive animals are routinely diagnosed in private clinics, but with an uninvestigated source of transmission and without official notification. To achieve the purpose of the survey, we carried out a serological study, using the rKDDR-PLUS immunochromatographic test, and a survey of the socio-environmental conditions involved in the epidemiology of VL through a questionnaire applied to tutors during the visit.