Title of article :
Seroepidemiological Study on Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Meshkin-Shahr District, Ardabil Province, Northwest of Iran during 2006-2007
Author/Authors :
Moshfe, A Dept. of Medical Parasitology & Mycology - School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Mohebali, M Dept. of Medical Parasitology & Mycology - School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Edrissian, GhH Dept. of Medical Parasitology & Mycology - School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Zarei, Z Meshkin-Shahr Research Station , Akhoundi, B Dept. of Medical Parasitology & Mycology - School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Kazemi, B Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center - Shaid Beheshti University , Jamshidi, Sh Dept. of Internal Medicine of Small Animals - Veterinary hospital - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Mahmoodi, M Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research - Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Meshkin-Shahr district as endemic areas of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) for presenting control program of HVL to health authorities. Methods: A seroepidemiological study to determine seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) among ownership dogs using direct agglutination tests (DAT) in 21 villages of Meshkin-Shahr district, Ardabil Province was carried out from June 2006 to August 2007. Three hundred and eighty four ownership dogs were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare seroprevalence values relative to gender, age and clinical signs.Results: Of the 384 serum samples tested by DAT, 17.4 %( 95%C.I, 13.2%-20.8%) were positive (1:320 and higher). No statistical significant difference was found between male (16.5%) and female (20.2%) seroprevalence (P=0.416). The highest seroprevalence rate (64.2%) was observed among the ownership dogs of three years age and above. Only 25.4% of the seropositive dogs had clinical signs and symptoms. The most clinical signs among symptomatic dogs were cachexia (75%) and alopecia (36.5%).Conclusion: The majority of seropositive dogs (74.6%) lived in endemic areas of Meshkin-Shahr district were asymptomatic. It seems that all symptomatic and asymptomatic infected dogs are the most important risk factors for human infection in VL endemic areas.
Keywords :
Canine visceral leishmaniasis , Seroepidemiology , Direct agglutination test , Iran
