Serological and epidemiological features of canine American tegumentary Leishmaniasis from Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A sample of 261 dogs from 134 households located in a periurban area of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was studied to evaluate serologic reactions and active infection of american tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). Eight dogs presented lesions suggestive of ATL, but this was isolated in only three. Using ELISA, 24.5% (64/261) of the dogs studied were positive (sensitivity = 66% and specificity = 76%), associated with isolation in 2 animals and 0.4% (1/261) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) with no association with isolation. In order to reduce the unspecific reactions to ELISA, a second criterion was used to obtain the cutoff (sensitivity = 33% and specificity = 93%), resulting in a reactivity of 6.9 % (18/261) associated to isolation in a single animal. As observed in this study, serologic results by IIF were not associated with active infection and ELISA showed high unspecific reactions, indicating that the serologic reactions alone are not recommended for ATL diagnosis. ATL scars were been observed in 7 persons in the region and active lesion, under treatment, was observed in one patient. The finding of active lesions, either in dogs or humans, confirmed the existence of active tegumentary leishmaniasis in Maricá, indicating the need for further studies to evaluate the importance of this infection in the municipality.