Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis co-infection in dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: evaluation by specific PCR and RFLP-PCR assays

Introduction During a diagnostic evaluation of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL), two of seventeen dogs were found to be co-infected by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Methods Specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR (RFLP-PCR) assays were performed. Results PCR assays for Leishmania subgenus identification followed by RFLP-PCR analysis in biopsies from cutaneous lesions and the spleen confirmed the presence of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in those fragments. Conclusions This report reinforces the importance of using serological and molecular techniques in the epidemiological surveillance of canine populations in endemic areas in which both diseases are known to co-exist. In such cases, a reassessment of the control measures is required.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pires,Marize Quinhones, Madeira,Maria de Fátima, Bittencourt,Vânia Rita Elias Pinheiro, Pacheco,Raquel da Silva
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2014
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822014000200243
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!