Challenges of animals shelters in caring for dogs infected with Leishmania and other pathogens

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) Vol. 49; p. 100988
• Main Authors: da Silva, Alessandra Salles, de Medeiros Silva, Marcel Miranda, de Oliveira Mendes Aguiar, Carolina, Nascimento, Paulo Ricardo Petrucio, da Costa, Eliardo Guimarães, Jeronimo, Selma M.B., de Melo Ximenes, Maria de Fátima Freire
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Babesia; Babesia spp; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dogs; Ehrlichia canis; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmania infantum - genetics; Leishmaniasis - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis - veterinary; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - parasitology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - veterinary; One health; Psychodidae - parasitology; Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); Leishmania infantum; One health; Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); Ehrlichia canis; Babesia spp
• ISSN: 2405-9390; 2405-9390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100988

The incidence of human Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) has decreased in Brazil; however, the number of areas reporting human and canine cases has increased, with Leishmania infantum usually preceding human infection. This study aimed to analyze the profile of infectious diseases that are endemic for both human and canine VL, in dogs housed in a shelter located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. Data was obtained between November/2021 to April/2022. All dogs residing at the shelter (98 dogs) were examined and blood was collected for testing for L. infantum, Ehrlichia canis, and Babesia sp. Statistical analyses considered the clinical and laboratory findings. Of the 98 animals, approximately 43% were positive for L. infantum antibodies, 19% were positive for L. infantum kDNA, and 18% were L. infantum positive by culture. Greater levels of anti-leishmania antibodies were observed in dogs with symptoms suggestive of VL. The dogs tested positive for E. canis (19/98) and B. canis (18/98). Lutzomyia longipalpis was captured inside the shelter, representing 74.25% (n = 225) of whole sandflies in the dog shelter. Concomitant infection by L. infantum and E. canis increased the odds of death. Treatment of VL included the use of allopurinol (n = 48) and miltefosine (n = 8). Treated animals showed more signs of Leishmania infection. Tickborn parasites and Leishmania were prevalent in sheltered dogs in a VL-endemic area, which increases the odds of death and poses an additional challenge for caring for abandoned dogs and at the same time setting protocols to manage reservoirs of L. infantum. •The abandonment of dogs can cause health, social, and environmental disorders.•Sheltered dogs in a VL-endemic area, poses an challenge for setting protocols to manage.•Concomitant infection by L. infantum and E. canis increased the risk of death.•Considering that canVL does not present with pathognomonic signs, other pathogens may delay its diagnosis.