[Prevalence of anti-Leishmania spp antibodies in dogs from Garanhuns, in the middle scrub zone (Agreste) of Pernambuco].

INTRODUCTION Considering the unknown situation regarding canine visceral leishmaniasis in Garanhuns, this study had the aim of investigating occurrences of anti-Leishmania spp antibodies in domesticated and partially domesticated dogs, and the possible risk factors involved. METHODS In the first phase of the study, 256 blood samples were collected from dogs and subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) reaction at a dilution of 1:40. Additionally, 23 IFAT-positive samples were tested using an immunochromatographic dipstick test. In the second phase, new blood samples were collected from 18 dogs that were IFAT-positive in the first phase. These animals were retested using IFAT (1:40 and 1:80) and, additionally, by means of the polymerase chain reaction to investigate the Leishmania infantum DNA. Furthermore, 16 of these samples were retested using the immunochromatographic dipstick test. RESULTS In the first phase of the study, 16% of the samples were IFAT-positive (1:40) and only three (13%) were positive in the immunochromatographic dipstick test. In the second phase, 12 samples were IFAT-positive at the dilution of 1:40, and seven were also positive at 1:80. None of the samples were positive in the polymerase chain reaction testing or in the immunochromatographic dipstick test. Clinical signs suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis were observed in 4.9% of the IFAT-positive dogs. There were no statistical differences in relation to age, sex or clinical status of the dogs, but there was a difference in relation to place of origin. CONCLUSIONS The domesticated and partially domesticated dogs living in Garanhuns present anti-Leishmania spp antibodies, but are mostly asymptomatic.