Diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral canina pela técnica de PCR em sangue periférico em associação com os testes RIFI e ELISA em cães de Palmas, TO

INTRODUÇÃO: A Leishmaniose Visceral (LV) ou calazar é uma doença grave, potencialmente fatal que acomete os mamíferos. Causada por protozoário da família Trypanosomatidae, gênero Leishmania, espécie Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi. Transmitida pelo inseto flebotomíneo Lutzomyia longipalpis popularmente conhecido por mosquito palha, birigui e cangalinhas, é considerada endêmica em vários países tanto em áreas rurais quanto urbanas. No Brasil vem se expandindo, atualmente encontra-se distribuída nas cinco regiões. No município de Palmas está disseminada em toda a sua extensão, classificando-o como de transmissão intensa. MÉTODOS: Nesse contexto, foi definida e avaliada a prevalência do parasita Leishmania (L.) infantun chagasi em cães errantes, capturados pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses (Palmas – TO), utilizando diferentes metodologias diagnósticas, ELISA, reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e reação de polimerização em cadeia (PCR). No estudo, 195 cães foram capturados em diferentes áreas do município e avaliados pelas três metodologias. RESULTADOS: Das 195 amostras submetidas à análise pelas três metodologias houve concordância de 85,64% entre RIFI e ELISA, 54,87% entre RIFI e PCR. CONCLUSÕES: A PCR mostrou ser uma potencial ferramenta auxiliar no diagnóstico da doença, associada a pelo menos uma metodologia de triagem. Quanto à regionalidade da doença, verificou-se variabilidade dos resultados entre as regiões estudadas no plano diretor, onde o maior número de casos positivos ocorreu nas regiões que correspondem ao setor sul de Palmas.   Palavras-chave: Leishmaniose visceral; reação em cadeia da polimerase; doenças endêmicas. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Visceral Leishmaniasis (LV) or kalazar is a potentially fatal disease that affects mammals. Caused by a Trypanosomatidae protozoan, genus Leishmania, species Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi. Transmitted by the phlebotomine Lutzomyia longipalpis known as mosquito straw, birigui and cangalinhas, leishmaniasis is endemic in rural and urban areas of several countries. In Palmas city it is disseminated in all its extension, classifying it as an area of intense transmission. METHODS: The Leishmania (L.) infantun chagasi prevalence in dogs captured by the Zoonoses Control Center (Palmas - TO) was evaluated using different diagnostic methodologies: ELISA, RIFI and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this study 195 dogs were captured in different areas of the city and evaluated by the three methodologies. RESULTS: Of the 195 samples analysed by the three techniques, there was agreement of 85.64% between RIFI and ELISA, 54.87% between RIFI and PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR proved to be a potential auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of the disease, associated to at least one screening methodology. Regarding the regionality of the disease, the results between the regions studied in the master plan were varaible and the highest number of positive cases occurred in the regions corresponding to the southern sector of Palmas. Keywords: Visceral leishmaniosis; polimerase chain reaction; endemic diseases

Diagnosis of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection in dogs and the relationship with environmental and sanitary aspects in the municipality of Palmas, state of Tocantins, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to identify the presence of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection in dogs in the City of Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil, using the PCR technique to list the hot spots of infected dogs in the city and associate their occurrence to significant environmental changes at capture sites. METHODS: DNA was extracted from blood of dogs, and the PCR were performed with primers RV1/RV2. After screening the population studied, the regions of the city that had the highest occurrence of canine infection were detected. These sites were visited, and ecological parameters denoting anthropogenic disturbance were evaluated. RESULTS: Some important features were listed in the regions visited, such as low urbanization, lack of public collection of sewage, limited garbage collection, vacant lots with tall vegetation, decaying organic matter, and, most importantly, the occurrence of stray dogs and poultry in homes. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology for screening the population was very efficient, especially in evaluating a large number of individuals in a short time, with a high degree of automation. The results indicate an association between the observed parameters and the occurrence of infection in dogs. The model presented in the city is ideal for studies of disease progression and expansion and for the evaluation of control measures adopted for canine VL