Dados do Trabalho

Título

TRYPANOSOMATID INFECTIONS IN DOMESTICS DOGS FROM MONTES CLAROS/MG: AN ENDEMIC AREA OF VISCERAL AND TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS.

Introdução

Leishmania genus include parasites of medical and veterinary importance, due to several illnesses reported in humans and dogs. Montes Claros/MG (MOC) municipality is an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and has reported an increase of Human Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (HTL) cases in areas of urban expansion surrounding vegetative fragments.

Objetivo (s)

To diagnose trypanosomatid infections in dogs living in areas that reported HTL cases in MOC.

Material e Métodos

Thirty-seven dogs were submitted to blood collection to obtain serum (N= 36) and blood clots (N= 35). Of these, twelve had tissue samples collected for culture (skin, lymph node and bone marrow), and PCR (healthy skin and skin lesions) (CEUA L-50-2016A4 & L18-2022). Serology was performed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFAT), immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), and immunochromatographic tests (DPP-LVC and TR-Chagas) to detect anti-Leishmania sp. and anti-T. cruzi IgG. Dogs with at least two positive results were considered infected. Molecular characterization was performed in skin (ITS1 and 18S rDNA) and blood clot (18S rDNA), followed by DNA sequence analysis of positive products.

Resultados e Conclusão

No positive cultures were obtained, but 17 (48.6%; N=35) dogs were positive in blood clots (n=10) and skin samples (n=10) PCR, including three mixed infections. Leishmania infantum was detected in skin (both healthy and lesions) from eight dogs through ITS1 and 18S PCRs; and other five dogs were positive in 18S PCR, in healthy skin (n=1), skin lesion (n=1), and blood clots (n= 3). Trypanosoma dionisii were detected only in blood clots from seven dogs. Mixed infections were detected in two dogs by T. dionisii (blood) and L. infantum (skin) and one by L. infantum (skin lesion) and L. braziliensis (healthy skin). Overall, six (16%) dogs were seropositive only for Leishmania sp., nine (24%) only for T. cruzi and eleven (30%) presented mixed infection, resulting in 46% and 54% of infection rate for Leishmania sp. and T. cruzi, respectively. Only two dogs positive for L. infantum on PCR were seronegative. Dogs from MOC were infected by the two Leishmania species reported in humans, including one mixed infection. Besides T. cruzi, serologically detected, the frequency of T. dionisii infections was surprising and suggests a potential role of dogs for this parasite species maintenance. The infection by different trypanosomatid species highlights the importance of include dogs in surveillance programs to prevent the emergence of human cases.

Palavras Chave

Trypanosomatid; dogs; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosoma dionisii; Leishmania sp.; Minas Gerais