Seroepidemiology of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Dezful, Iran

Introduction: Leishmania infantum-induced canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic throughout the Mediterranean region and constitutes a neglected zoonotic infection that threatens public health. This investigation, employing the DAT technique, assessed prevalence of VL antibodies in symptomatic and asymptomatic domestic and stray dogs in Dezful County and its surrounding areas. Materials & Methods: For this purpose, serum samples from ۱۳۰ dogs in Dezful County (۱۰۵ from shelters and ۲۵ from a veterinary clinic) were collected to assess anti-L. infantum antibodies using the direct agglutination test (DAT). Results: Overall, ۱۶ dogs (۱۲.۳%) were seropositive at ≥۱:۳۲۰ and ۱۱۴ dogs (۸۷.۷%) were seronegative at ≤۱:۳۲۰, with ۴(۳.۰۷%) showing strong positivity at a titer of ۱:۱۲۸۰. All seropositive dogs were asymptomatic, with an average age of ۱.۵ years. A significant difference in seroprevalence was observed between living conditions, with higher rates in stray and sheltered dogs compared to owned dogs (P=۰.۰۴۱).Conclusion: Our findings, as well as those of asymptomatic seropositive dogs, underscore the potential for an active transmission cycle of CVL in Dezful. Dogs exhibiting clinical signs of leishmaniasis in this region may act as the primary reservoir hosts of L. infantum for humans and other susceptible animals. These findings underscore the critical need for ongoing surveillance, integrated vector management, and molecular studies to confirm circulating Leishmania species. This study highlights the urgency of targeted control strategies to reduce zoonotic transmission in northern Khuzestan.

کلیدواژه ها:

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) ، Direct agglutination test (DAT) ، Dezful ، Iran ، Leishmania Infantum