Abstract

ROMERO PENUELA, Marlyn Hellen  and  SANCHEZ VALENCIA, Jorge Alberto. THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANINE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS: DILEMMAS AND CHALLENGES. Biosalud [online]. 2009, vol.8, n.1, pp.105-116. ISSN 1657-9550.

Visceral leishmaniasis is an infectious disease of chronic evolution caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum (Leishmania chagasi), which affects humans and canines. It is transmitted mainly by the vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, with incrimination of Lutzomyia evansi in parts of Colombia and Venezuela. Dogs are considered the main domestic reservoir of the parasite, constituting part of the epidemiological cycle of human transmission. Given the epidemiological importance of canines in the control of visceral Leishmaniasis and the need to determine the real impact of the infection in the endemic areas, the employment of diagnostic efficient tests is fundamental. These tests shouldn't underestimate the incidence, or the prevalence of the disease; they should also allow the obtainment of reliable results that minimize the false-positive reactions and the cross-reactions with other related parasites. The present article revises the diagnostic methods for canine visceral leishmaniasis and establishes some research and development priorities in this topic.

Keywords : Leishmania infantum; canine visceral leishmaniasis; diagnostic tools.

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