Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in stray dogs housed in a private shelter in the city of Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil. This study included serum samples from all stray and asymptomatic dogs housed in a private shelter in the period between March and May 2011. In order to detect anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed using blades containing promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. From the 173 serum samples analyzed, 38.73% were considered reactant, which is 71.64% for titer 40, 25.37% for titer 80 and 2.98% for titer 160. The reagent serology for Leishmania spp. in stray dogs in the city of Umuarama (PR) indicates that there might be circulation of the etiologic agent, and consequently, exposure of these animals to the parasite; however, new serological, parasitological and molecular studies with this animal species must be performed in order to better clarify the participation of dogs in the American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) transmission chain in the mentioned city.

Key words: Dog, diagnosis, Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania spp., zoonosis.