Molecular Detectıon of Canine Leishmaniasis in Northern Anatolia, Turkiye

Background: Canin leishmaniasis (CanL), mostly caused by Leishmania infantum, is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in dogs in the Mediterranean region. In this study, we aimed to determine the disease profile in this region by firstly making microscopic and then molecular analyzes in the samples taken from the dogs. Methods: Overall, 112 whole blood samples taken from dogs for clinical applications by a veterinarian in Cankırı between December 2021 and November 2022 were used. After blood collection, both thin and thick drop blood smear preparations were prepared and evaluated for Giemsa staining. L. infantum was investigated by Real time-PCR (RT-PCR) method from all blood samples. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree study were performed on positive samples. Results: Both microscopic and RT-PCR analyzes were performed. In both studies, 3 of the 112 samples were positive. Because of the sequence analysis, they were L. infantum. Sequence analysis was performed from the samples found 3 positive. The phylogenetic tree was drawn by making NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology) data entries of the positive samples (Accession numbers: OQ184728, OQ184729, OQ184730). Conclusion:  Dogs are important, as they are reservoir of this disease. In this study, 3 (2.7%) positive Leishmaniasis was detected in dogs in Cankırı. Ultimately, this should prompt discussion about new strategies going forward to combat infection caused by Leishmania.