Urban canine leishmaniasis in an Amazonian municipality: a cross-sectional study of prevalence, distribution and phlebotomine fauna during the dry season, Brazil, 2023

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence and distribution of canine leishmaniasis and the phlebotomine fauna across the five urban neighborhoods of the Cachoeira do Piriá Amazonian municipality, Pará state, Brazil, during the dry season. Methods: Dogs were sampled for five hours in each neighborhood, with blood and conjunctival swab specimens (from June 13 to 15, 2023). Samples were tested using polymerase chain reaction targeting the heat shock protein 70-234 gene. Risk areas (kernel) and phlebotomine fauna were investigated (from 1 to 7/10/2023). Results: A total of 93/864 (11%) animals were included. The prevalence of canine leishmaniasis was 65% (60/93). Positivity rates varied among neighborhoods (p-value 0.001), with major clusters in the Northwest and Southeast urban areas, encompassing three neighborhoods. Lutzomyia antunesi (2) and Lutzomyia evandroi (11) were found in four neighborhoods. Conclusion: High prevalence of canine leishmaniasis and a potential phlebotomine vector (Lutzomyia antunesi) were identified during the Amazonian summer in the urban area of Cachoeira do Piriá, where three neighborhoods were prioritized for surveillance.