SURVEY AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS (2009-2025) OF CANINE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN AN ANIMAL PROTECTION ASSOCIATION IN ILHA SOLTEIRA

• Grant number: 25/01728-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Diogo Tiago da Silva
• Grantee: Pedro Massahiro Yasuta Batista
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the protozoan Leishmania (L.) infantum and transmitted primarily by the bite of the blood-sucking insect (sandfly) Phlebotominae of the species Lutzomyia longipalpis. Species of the genus Leishmania are intracellular parasites of macrophages in humans, dogs, and a wide variety of wild animals, and if left untreated will almost always result in the death of the mammalian host. This study aims to conduct a serological and parasitological survey of the prevalence of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies in dogs and a temporal analysis of CVL cases in an Animal Protection Association in Ilha Solteira between 2009 and 2025. Blood samples and popliteal lymph node aspirates will be collected from all animals in the shelter for serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT), Dual Path Plaaform (DDP®) chromatographic immunoassay and direct parasitological examination. Observations of the animals' clinical signs will serve to classify them as asymptomatic or symptomatic.