Evaluation of an active and early surveillance methodology for visceral leishmaniasis by molecular detection in road-killed wild fauna

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate a methodology for active surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis by detecting Leishmania DNA in organs wild road-killed animals from November 2016 October 2018 the North Paraná, Brazil. collection points were georeferenced. autopsied and samples bone marrow, lymph node, liver, spleen, ear skin collected. Genomic was extracted subjected PCR amplification spp. 18S, kinetoplastic (kDNA), HSP70, ITS1 genes, sequencing performed. primers used kDNA, ITS1, HSP70 genes presented non-specific results. Of 66 mammals collected 24 different municipalities, one Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) nodes 18S PCR. confirmed results subgenus, Viannia, identification. We suggest using showed early non-endemic area.