Objective

To describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics associated with the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in an endemic area from Caaguazú department, Paraguay.

Materials and Methods

Cross-sectional study that included 324 dogs from 110 houses. Clinical examination was performed; ganglion aspirate was obtained for direct exa-mination and blood sample for further detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies by rk39 recombinant antigen immunochromatographic strips.

Results

4.9% of the canine population resulted positive for rk39 recombinant antigen. By the Giemsa staining technique, 4.3% of positive dogs were obtained, of which 37.5% presented evident clinical signs. The most frequent signs found in infected dogs were thinning, onychogryphosis and alopecia (25%). Seroprevalence was higher in mixed breed dogs between 2 and 4 years old.

Conclusion

The clinical signs confirmed the parasitic infection, and the finding indicates the role of canines in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Caaguazú as well as the risk that they represent for transmission. These results may help to formulate a monitoring system and contribute to the surveillance of canine leishmaniasis in the zone.