Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of feline leishmaniasis in Brazil

Full text
Author(s):
Neto, Luiz da Silveira [1] ; Marcondes, Mary [2] ; Bilsland, Elizabeth [3, 4] ; Shigaki de Matos, Lucas Vincius [1] ; Viol, Milena Arauz [5] ; Saraiva Bresciani, Katia Denise [2]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, FCAV, Programa Posgrad Med Vet, Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, FMVA, DCCRA, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Cambridge, Cambridge Syst Biol Ctr, Cambridge - England
[5] Univ Estadual Paulista, FMVA, Programa Posgrad Ciencia Anim, Aracatuba, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: SEMINA-CIENCIAS AGRARIAS; v. 36, n. 3, p. 1467-1480, 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

Tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis are severe and unfortunately common parasitic diseases in Brazil. Among domestic animals, dogs are considered the main urban reservoir of the protozoan parasites, however, there is evidence that infected cats can also contribute towards the disease pool. The number of cats diagnosed with leishmaniasis has greatly increased in the last few years, highlighting the importance of thorough investigations on the role of the cat in the epidemiological cycle of the disease and in public health related issues. The main clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis suffered by cats, even when infected with Leishmania chagasi, a viscerotropic species, are skin abnormalities, which can be confounded with multiple other diseases. Indirect ELISA should be used as a screening test in epidemiological investigations for being a sensitive technique, followed by more specific laboratory tests. The standardization and validation of rapid, economical and reproducible diagnostic methods, to be employed in epidemiological surveillance, are still required. (AU)