Risk factors associated with Leishmania exposure among dogs in a rural area of Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil

Pereira Spada, Julio Cesar [UNESP]; Silva, Diogo Tiago da [UNESP]; Alves, Maria Luana [UNESP]; Cardenas, Nicolas Cespedes; Inlamea, Osvaldo Frederico; Faria, Glaucia Amorim [UNESP]; Ferreira, Andrea Goncalves [UNESP]; Silva, Helio Ricardo [UNESP]; Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira, Tricia Maria; Starke Buzetti, Wilma Aparecida [UNESP]

Risk factors associated with Leishmania exposure among dogs in a rural area of Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil

Arquivos

S0037-86822020000100340.pdf (1.54 MB)

Data

2020-01-01

Autores

Pereira Spada, Julio Cesar

Silva, Diogo Tiago da

Alves, Maria Luana

Cardenas, Nicolas Cespedes

Inlamea, Osvaldo Frederico

Faria, Glaucia Amorim

Ferreira, Andrea Goncalves

Silva, Helio Ricardo

Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira, Tricia Maria

Starke Buzetti, Wilma Aparecida

Editor

Soc Brasileira Medicina Tropical

Tipo

Artigo

Direito de acesso

Acesso aberto

Resumo

Introduction: We sought to determine risk factors (RFs) associated with the presence of antibodies against Leishmania in dogs from a rural area of Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 250 dogs and tested using indirect enzyme-linked irrununosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). Data concerning dogs, their environment, and their owners' knowledge of leishmaniasis were collected using a questionnaire. To determine RFs for contact with the parasite, univariate statistical analysis based on chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, followed by logistic regression, was used. Results: It was found that 79/250 (31.6%) of the dogs were positive by IFAT, and 72/250 (28.8%) by ELISA. A total of 82/250 dogs (32.8%) were positive in at least one test. The RFs associated with occurrences of Leishmania exposure were large body size (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.26-4.04; p = 0.003), presence of chickens (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.05-3.65; p = 0.023), and lack of knowledge about Leishmania among dog owners (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 0.96-3.21; p = 0.049). After multivariate analysis, the RFs for occurrence of Leishmania exposure in dogs that remained significantly associated were the dog's size (large dogs) (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.06-1.35; p = 0.003) and presence of chickens on the properties (small farms) (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.02-1.30: p = 0.023). Conclusions: These results may be useful for improving preventive practices to reduce the incidence of Leishmania exposure among dogs in rural areas.