Frequência de anticorpos anti-Leishmania Viannia braziliensis (Vianna, 1911) em caninos e equídeos em áreas de ocorrência da Leishmaniose tegumentar americana no município do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

In the epidemiological chain of transmission of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), canines and equines have close association with the disease in the human population, where these animals can act as reservoirs of ACL, contributing to the maintenance of the disease. Thus, this study aimed to determine the frequency of anti-Leishmania Viannia braziliensis in dogs and horses in areas where the American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in the city of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of naturally infected by L. (V) braziliensis. For this purpose, initially was performed a search of the human cases in the city of Cabo, in areas with occurrence of ACL, from the collection of data in the investigation forms System Diseases Information and Notification (SINAN). In possession of the notifications, the properties and/or homes were visited for the application of an investigative questionnaire for ACL. All these dogs and horses underwent physical examinations and clinical trials and subsequent blood collection to obtain serum to be used in Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). The results of serological survey revealed the presence of 14.11% (23/163) of seropositive dogs without, however, statistically significant (2 2 = 2.971). The presence of 18.27% (17/93) of seropositive horses also suggests the involvement of these domestic animals in the disease cycle in the city of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, although the real role of participation requires further studies. It can be concluded with the results of this study that dogs with different clinical characteristics and presence of antibodies to L. (V) braziliensis reinforce the need for better clinical and epidemiological investigation of these animals in the city of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, with the aim of adopting control measures for the ACL.