Comparison of different diagnostic tests in dogs uninfected and naturally infected with visceral leishmaniasis

Sassaki CY (1), Colodel MM (1), Ferreira I (1), Nogueira FS (2), Lucheis SB (3), Langoni H (4), Rocha NS (1)

(1) Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) School of Veterinary Medicine, Educational Foundation of Andradina (FEA), Andradina, São Paulo State, Brazil, (3) São Paulo Agency of Agribusiness Technology (APTA), Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil; (4) Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Uninfected dogs (n = 10) and those naturally infected with leishmaniasis (n = 10) were subjected to several diagnostic tests, namely: hemoculture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of hemoculture, indirect immunofluorescence (RIFI), cytological examination of lymph node aspirate, culture of  lymph node aspirate and PCR of lymph node aspirate. RIFI - followed by PCR of lymph node aspirate culture - presented more positive results in infected dogs than in uninfected ones. In infected animals, RIFI was more effective than PCR of lymph node aspirate culture. There was no statistical difference in positivity between RIFI and hemoculture; lymph node aspirate culture/cytological examination of lymph node aspirate and PCR of hemoculture; and between PCR of lymph node aspirate culture and PCR of hemoculture. All infected and uninfected animals had positive and negative results in at least one test. In conclusion, the association of several tests improves the efficacy of canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis.

Key words: diagnosis, dogs, visceral leishmaniasis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the scholarship (process 2005/56765-9) and Fort Dodge Animal Health for the financial support.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: February 23, 2011.

Accepted: June 7, 2011.

Abstract published online: June 17, 2011.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and Fort Dodge Animal Health provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Experimentation of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry (CEEA - process number 58/2005), UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

ISABELLE FERREIRA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, s/n, Botucatu, SP, 18618-000, Brasil. Phone: +55 14 3811 6293. Email: iferreira@fmvz.unesp.br.