Identification of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi isolated from healthy skin of symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs seropositive for leishmaniasis in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Euthanasia of seropositive dogs has been one of the principal measures adopted by the Program for the Control of Leishmaniasis in Brazil for many years. However, its efficacy is currently being questioned. We obtained intact skin samples from 20 Leishmania-reactive dogs from the municipality of Rio...

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Published in:The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases 2004-12, Vol.8 (6), p.440-444
Main Authors: Madeira, Maria de Fátima, Schubach, Armando de Oliveira, Schubach, Tânia Maria Pacheco, Leal, Cristianni Antunes, Marzochi, Mauro Célio de Almeida
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brazil
clinical signs
dog
Dog Diseases - parasitology
Dogs
Electrophoresis - methods
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
intact skin
isoenzymes
Isoenzymes - analysis
Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi
Leishmania infantum - isolation & purification
Leishmaniasis, Visceral - parasitology
Leishmaniasis, Visceral - veterinary
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Summary:Euthanasia of seropositive dogs has been one of the principal measures adopted by the Program for the Control of Leishmaniasis in Brazil for many years. However, its efficacy is currently being questioned. We obtained intact skin samples from 20 Leishmania-reactive dogs from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro that had been referred for euthanasia. The promastigote forms of Leishmania were isolated in culture from 18 of these animals. Fourteen of these isolates were identified as Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi by isoenzyme electrophoresis; seven of these were from asymptomatic dogs and seven were from symptomatic animals with visceral leishmaniasis. In conclusion, cutaneous parasitism is found in the intact skin of dogs naturally infected with L. (L.) chagasi, irrespective of the presence or absence of clinical signs suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis.
ISSN:1413-8670
1678-4391
DOI:10.1590/S1413-86702004000600008