Urban canine leishmaniasis in an Amazonian municipality: a cross-sectional study of prevalence, distribution and phlebotomine fauna during the dry season, Brazil, 2023
Objective To describe the prevalence and distribution of canine leishmaniasis and the phlebotomine fauna across the five urban neighborhoods of the Cachoeira do Piriá Amazonian municipality, Pará state, Brazil, during the dry season.
Methods Dogs were sampled for five hours in each neighborhood, with blood and conjunctival swab specimens (from June 13 to 15, 2023). Samples were tested using polymerase chain reaction targeting the heat shock protein 70-234 gene. Risk areas (kernel) and phlebotomine fauna were investigated (from 1 to 7/10/2023).
Results A total of 93/864 (11%) animals were included. The prevalence of canine leishmaniasis was 65% (60/93). Positivity rates varied among neighborhoods (p-value 0.001), with major clusters in the Northwest and Southeast urban areas, encompassing three neighborhoods. Lutzomyia antunesi (2) and Lutzomyia evandroi (11) were found in four neighborhoods.
Conclusion High prevalence of canine leishmaniasis and a potential phlebotomine vector (Lutzomyia antunesi) were identified during the Amazonian summer in the urban area of Cachoeira do Piriá, where three neighborhoods were prioritized for surveillance.
Objetivo
Describir la prevalencia y distribución de la leishmaniosis canina y la fauna de flebotomíneos en los cinco barrios urbanos del municipio amazónico de Cachoeira do Piriá, estado de Pará, Brasil, durante la estación seca.
Métodos
Se realizaron muestreos de perros durante cinco horas en cada barrio, recolectando muestras de sangre y hisopados conjuntivales (del 13 al 15/06/2023). Las muestras fueron analizadas mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa dirigida al gen heat shock protein 70-234. Se investigaron las áreas de riesgo (kernel) y la fauna de flebotomíneos (del 1 al 7/10/2023).
Resultados
Se incluyeron 93 de 864 animales (11%). La prevalencia de leishmaniosis canina fue del 65% (60/93). Las tasas de positividad variaron entre los barrios (p-valor 0,001), identificándose principales conglomerados al Noroeste y Sureste de la zona urbana, que abarcaron tres barrios. Se encontraron Lutzomyia antunesi (2) y Lutzomyia evandroi (11) en cuatro barrios.
Conclusión
Se describió una alta prevalencia de leishmaniosis canina y un vector potencial de flebotomíneos (Lutzomyia antunesi) durante el verano amazónico en la zona urbana de Cachoeira do Piriá, donde tres barrios son prioritarios para la vigilancia.