Allochthonous cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a global anthropozoonosis that affects humans, dogs, and wild animals. The dog is considered the main urban reservoir of the disease, caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and transmitted by the bite of the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. The infection can be asymptomatic or symptomatic, presenting changes that include anemia, cachexia, fever, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, skin lesions, and onychogryphosis. Diagnosis occurs through the direct or indirect search of the parasite in blood samples, skin lesions, liver, spleen, lymph node aspirate, and bone marrow. This study describes three cases of VL in dogs from Pirajuí imported to Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. Diagnoses were confirmed by clinical, serological, molecular, and parasitic tests, highlighting variations in results. The need for multiple diagnostic methods is emphasized due to the different manifestations of the disease. The article also highlights the importance of controlling the movement of dogs between regions to prevent the spread of VL,
suggesting prevention and control measures for non-endemic areas.