Canine visceral leishmaniasis: perception, prevalence, and spatial distribution in municipality of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, Mato Grosso, Brazil

• Published in: Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria Vol. 29; no. 2; p. e021019
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Matheus Roberto, Dias, Álvaro Felipe de Lima Ruy, Almeida, Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de, Alves, Mário Ribeiro, Paes, Adilson Santos, Sousa, Valéria Régia Franco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária 2020; Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria
• Subjects: associated factors; epidemiology; leishmania infantum; PARASITOLOGY; VETERINARY SCIENCES; associated factors; Leishmania infantum; fatores associados; Epidemiologia; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 0103-846X; 1984-2961; 1984-2961
• DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020017

The midwest region of Brazil has witnessed an increase in the number of cases of human (HVL) and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the population's perception of these diseases, factors associated with CVL, its spatial distribution, and the prevalence of anti-Leishmania spp. in 385 dogs, determined using a commercially available immunochromatographic rapid test and confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 385 samples, 54 were positive for CVL and confirmed by ELISA, corresponding to a prevalence of 14%. Knowledge of signs of CVL by tutors (p = 0.038); previous occurrence of CVL in the vicinity (p = 0.022); symptomatic dog(s) (p = 0.014), splenomegaly (p = 0.055), and ear ulcer(s) (p = 0.059) were significantly associated with CVL. The results revealed a significant prevalence of CVL spatially distributed in rural and urban contexts. The association between environmentally related variables and perception and the occurrence of CVL underscores the importance of implementing control and prevention strategies primarily focused on environmental management and health education activities.