Detection of canine visceral leishmaniasis by conjunctival swab PCR
Canine visceral leishmaniasis, Conjunctival swab, Epidemiological survey
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Conjunctival swab PCR was evaluated as a tool to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. METHODS: Conjunctival swab PCR was compared to indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and blood PCR. RESULTS: Indirect immunofluorescence was significantly correlated with conjunctival swab PCR (p < 0.05), but not with blood PCR (p > 0.05). In addition, conjunctival swab PCR was significantly associated with presence of clinical symptoms (p < 0.05), whereas blood PCR was associated with absence of clinical symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that conjunctival swab PCR is useful in epidemiological surveys of canine visceral leishmaniasis.
Vanessa Figueredo Pereira, Julia Cristina Benassi, Wilma Aparecida Starke Buzetti, Diogo Tiago Silva, Helena Lage Ferreira, Lara Borges Keid, Rodrigo Martins Soares, Vera Letticie de Azevedo Ruiz, Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)