Canine visceral leishmaniasis: Comparison of serological methods in dogs of unsurveyed area of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil

Abstract

This study surveyed the presence of seropositive dogs in kennels of twelve municipalities of RioGrande do Sul (RS), comparing methods and diagnostic protocols. Using this approach we coulddetect a possible spread of the disease, consequently encouraging prevention and control campaigns,and preventing future outbreaks. This study was conducted in an undiagnosed area for caninevisceral leishmaniasis (CVL) of RS and a total of 165 dogs were evaluated. Serological analysiswas performed using the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Dual Plate Platform (DPP). A rate of 33.9% (56/165) in the IIF, 6.7% (11/165) inDPP, 3.0% (5/165) in IIF and DPP and 6.1% (10/165) in ELISA was observed. Among the resultsconfirmed by ELISA, five (5/10) were positive by IIF, of which, disregarding two of these five thatwere seropositive only by ELISA and IIF, three dogs (3/10) were seropositive by DPP and ELISA,according to the current protocol recommended by the Ministry of Health. Comparisons betweenthe diagnostic tests to verify accuracy and kappa value were also made. When considering onlythe results positive in DPP and IIF, the accuracy increased to 94.6%, with a kappa value of 0.375,therefore, with considerable agreement. It is concluded that the research in undiagnosed areas of RSrevealed the presence of seropositive dogs in four municipalities of the State: Cachoeira do Sul (2),São Francisco de Assis (1) Dom Pedrito (1) and Rio Grande (1).