Importance of Canis familiaris in the maintenance of visceral leishmaniasis in the endemic area of Diamantina municipality (Minas Gerais State, Brazil)

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of dogs in the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the municipality of Diamantina. Phenotypic information of seroreactive dogs were analysed and the identification of Leishmania was performed by Ln-PCR and sequencing. The predominant profiles observed were dogs residing in the rural area, males, mongrel and short-haired dogs. The most clinical signs were onychogryphosis and cachexia. The presence of Leishmania infantum circulating in the dogs of the municipality is worrying and indicates that urgent measures for surveillance and control of VL should be adopted in this endemic area.