Clinical and laboratory aspects of seropositive cats for Leishmania spp

• Grant number: 19/10540-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Preventive Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Rocha da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Affecting 24 of the 27 states of the Brazilian federation, Visceral Leishmaniasis is considered a neglected disease and one of the most significant in Brazil. Only in 2017, the disease affected more than 4,000 people across the country. The causative agent of the disease belongs to the family Trypanossomatidae, and the species Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. The parasite, in its cycle, has as a biological vector the dipteran, phlebotomine Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis popularly known as mosquito-straw. The protozoan is capable of infecting a wide variety of mammals, including man. In the urban environment, dogs are mainly responsible for keeping the disease in circulation, but the disease is also described in cats and the increase in the feline population along with their habits may be indicative of their participation in the epidemiology of the disease. Studies have shown that cats are able to infect and transmit the parasites to their vectors and may also present symptomatic or asymptomatic pictures of the disease. However, the relation of the feline organism to the parasite, as well as its exact role as reservoir of the disease, are poorly understood and the studies in this animal species are scarce. Thus, the present study aims to compare clinical, hematological and biochemical aspects of positive cats in serological tests (IFAT and ELISA) with seronegative cats for Leishmania spp. Clinical exams, hemograms, biochemistry and titration of anti-Leishmania antibodies from 100 animals from shelters located in Ilha Solteira -SP, an endemic area for Visceral Leishmaniasis, will be performed.