Seroprevalence of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Kuşadası, Turkey

Authors : Seray Özensoy TÖZ, Hatice ERTABAKLAR, Yusuf ÖZBEL

Pages : 23-26

View : 15 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Human and canine visceral leishmaniasis cases have been reported from Kuşadası, a town in western Turkey, since 1993. In order to better understand the epidemiology of canine visceral leishmaniasis insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CanVL); in the region, we aimed: insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i); to determine the prevalence of CanVL in Kuşadası using a randomly selected dog population and insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ii); to measure the effect of case control on the prevalence of the disease. In this study, all 109 dogs kept at the dog shelter of Kuşadası Municipality insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(reflecting random selectivity); were screened serologically using IFAT and rK39 ELISA in 1999. Ten dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(9.1%); were seropositive or borderline in 1 of the 2 tests. Seropositive dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8); died spontaneously or were euthanized, while borderline dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); underwent monthly serological examinations. One year later, in a second sampling, a total of 85 dogs were examined insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(27 previously tested and 58 new);. Four dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.7%); showed seropositivity. Seropositive dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); were euthanized while borderline dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); underwent monthly serological examinations. The reduction in the prevalence of the disease insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(from 9.1% to 4.7%); appears to be the result of culling CanVL positive dogs from the general population.
Keywords : Canine leishmaniasis, seroprevalence, Turkey