Parasitological, serological diagnosis of caninevisceral leishmaniasis, association of neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate and transmission potential: A review

Abstract

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is important in the transmission cycle of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum as it constitutes the main reservoir of the parasite in the peridomestic cycle. We revise the laboratory diagnosis of CVL since control program in some parts of the world including Brazil has in its guideline the culling of infected dogs based on anti-Leishmania antibody detection. But the serological techniques have limitation regarding the specificity and sensitivity. The confirmation of infection is performed by parasitological analysis that is considered the gold standard since it presents 100% specificity. Whereas sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the parasitological methods are critical aspects for the diagnosis of CVL per se and for the dogs as source of parasite for transmission, parameters that may give indication of this potential are important to unveil. Here we discuss the serological diagnosis and then the parasitological diagnosis with focus on neutrophilic infiltrate in the tissue related to transmission potential. © 2013 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.