Received: May 21, 2008.

Accepted: August 31, 2009.

Abstract published online: September 14, 2009.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2009.

CANINE TRYPANOSOMIASIS: ETIOLOGY OF INFECTION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Eloy LJ (1), Lucheis SB (1, 2)

(1) Department of Tropical Diseases and Imaging Diagnosis, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) São Paulo Agency of Agrobusiness Technology, APTA, Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Canine trypanosomiasis, caused by protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma, is divided into two primary types: the American form (Chagas disease), due to Trypanosoma cruzi infection, and the African form (sleeping sickness or surra), provoked by Trypanosoma evansi. This disease was originally enzootic and affected only wild animals, including mammals and birds, which served as reservoirs. Later, it spread to domestic animals such as horses, cattle and dogs. The disease became a zoonosis when contact between rural inhabitants and natural Trypanosoma foci occurred, due to ecological imbalances and increasing migration. Dogs are significantly involved in this context, because they are the main domestic animals and participate in the transmission and maintenance cycles of these parasites. This article reports etiological, epidemiological and public health aspects of canine trypanosomiasis, and the most important peculiarities of this zoonosis in dogs.

KEY WORDS: canine trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma evansi, Chagas disease, surra.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

SIMONE BALDINI LUCHEIS, Rodovia Marechal Rondon, km 279, caixa postal 108, 18.650-970, São Manuel, SP, Brasil. Phone: +55 14 9146 3999, +55 14 3203 3257. Email: silucheis@apta.sp.gov.br.