Abstract The aim of this study was to confirm the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu. The disease was diagnosed through the isolation and molecular identification of Leishmania infantum. In the first sample collection stage (2012), three lymph node aspirates and 46 buffy coat samples were obtained mostly from the dogs that were seroreagents for leishmaniasis. In the second sample collection stage (2013), the buffy coat samples were collected from 376 dogs located close to Paraguay, Paraná river, center and peripheral parts of the city. The DNA from the six isolates, four from the first sampling stage (4/49) and two from the second sampling stage (2/376), was subjected to polymerase chain reaction using the K26F/R primers. The isolate was confirmed as L. infantum by sequencing. As none of the dogs had ever left the city, the isolates were confirmed as autochthonous. Further, the study confirmed the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraná through the identification of L. infantum among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu city. Hence, collaborative control measures should be designed and implemented by the public agencies and research institutions of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay to control the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract The aim of this study was to confirm the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu. The disease was diagnosed through the isolation and molecular identification of Leishmania infantum. In the first sample collection stage (2012), three lymph node aspirates and 46 buffy coat samples were obtained mostly from the dogs that were seroreagents for leishmaniasis. In the second sample collection stage (2013), the buffy coat samples were collected from 376 dogs located close to Paraguay, Paraná river, center and peripheral parts of the city. The DNA from the six isolates, four from the first sampling stage (4/49) and two from the second sampling stage (2/376), was subjected to polymerase chain reaction using the K26F/R primers. The isolate was confirmed as L. infantum by sequencing. As none of the dogs had ever left the city, the isolates were confirmed as autochthonous. Further, the study confirmed the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraná through the identification of L. infantum among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu city. Hence, collaborative control measures should be designed and implemented by the public agencies and research institutions of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay to control the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract The aim of this study was to confirm the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu. The disease was diagnosed through the isolation and molecular identification of Leishmania infantum. In the first sample collection stage (2012), three lymph node aspirates and 46 buffy coat samples were obtained mostly from the dogs that were seroreagents for leishmaniasis. In the second sample collection stage (2013), the buffy coat samples were collected from 376 dogs located close to Paraguay, Paraná river, center and peripheral parts of the city. The DNA from the six isolates, four from the first sampling stage (4/49) and two from the second sampling stage (2/376), was subjected to polymerase chain reaction using the K26F/R primers. The isolate was confirmed as L. infantum by sequencing. As none of the dogs had ever left the city, the isolates were confirmed as autochthonous. Further, the study confirmed the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraná through the identification of L. infantum among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu city. Hence, collaborative control measures should be designed and implemented by the public agencies and research institutions of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay to control the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract The aim of this study was to confirm the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu. The disease was diagnosed through the isolation and molecular identification of Leishmania infantum. In the first sample collection stage (2012), three lymph node aspirates and 46 buffy coat samples were obtained mostly from the dogs that were seroreagents for leishmaniasis. In the second sample collection stage (2013), the buffy coat samples were collected from 376 dogs located close to Paraguay, Paraná river, center and peripheral parts of the city. The DNA from the six isolates, four from the first sampling stage (4/49) and two from the second sampling stage (2/376), was subjected to polymerase chain reaction using the K26F/R primers. The isolate was confirmed as L. infantum by sequencing. As none of the dogs had ever left the city, the isolates were confirmed as autochthonous. Further, the study confirmed the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraná through the identification of L. infantum among dogs in Foz do Iguaçu city. Hence, collaborative control measures should be designed and implemented by the public agencies and research institutions of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay to control the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in dogs from localities in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná state, Brazil, on the border with Argentina and Paraguay. Blood samples dogs were collected to perform the following serologic tests: immunochromatographic DPP® rapid test, indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). In 2012, 285 dogs were analyzed on Argentina border, and in 2013, serum samples from 396 dogs on the border of Paraguay were collected. Using ELISA for screening and IFA for the confirmatory test, the results showed that the antibody prevalence was 1.8% (5/285) on the border of Argentina and 3.0% (12/396) on Paraguay border. When using the DPP® for screening and ELISA as a confirmatory analysis, we observed a seroreagent prevalence in dogs of 2.5% (7/285) on Argentina border and 5.1% (20/396) on Paraguay border. The non-public collection of domestic waste (p= 0.0004) was shown to be associated with leishmaniasis. This study shows the presence of leishmaniasis and suggest the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in state of Paraná due to the confirmed occurrence of seroreactive dogs on Argentina and Paraguay border, which has environmental and geographical characteristics that favor the spread of the parasite.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in dogs from localities in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná state, Brazil, on the border with Argentina and Paraguay. Blood samples dogs were collected to perform the following serologic tests: immunochromatographic DPP® rapid test, indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). In 2012, 285 dogs were analyzed on Argentina border, and in 2013, serum samples from 396 dogs on the border of Paraguay were collected. Using ELISA for screening and IFA for the confirmatory test, the results showed that the antibody prevalence was 1.8% (5/285) on the border of Argentina and 3.0% (12/396) on Paraguay border. When using the DPP® for screening and ELISA as a confirmatory analysis, we observed a seroreagent prevalence in dogs of 2.5% (7/285) on Argentina border and 5.1% (20/396) on Paraguay border. The non-public collection of domestic waste (p= 0.0004) was shown to be associated with leishmaniasis. This study shows the presence of leishmaniasis and suggest the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in state of Paraná due to the confirmed occurrence of seroreactive dogs on Argentina and Paraguay border, which has environmental and geographical characteristics that favor the spread of the parasite.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in dogs from localities in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná state, Brazil, on the border with Argentina and Paraguay. Blood samples dogs were collected to perform the following serologic tests: immunochromatographic DPP® rapid test, indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). In 2012, 285 dogs were analyzed on Argentina border, and in 2013, serum samples from 396 dogs on the border of Paraguay were collected. Using ELISA for screening and IFA for the confirmatory test, the results showed that the antibody prevalence was 1.8% (5/285) on the border of Argentina and 3.0% (12/396) on Paraguay border. When using the DPP® for screening and ELISA as a confirmatory analysis, we observed a seroreagent prevalence in dogs of 2.5% (7/285) on Argentina border and 5.1% (20/396) on Paraguay border. The non-public collection of domestic waste (p= 0.0004) was shown to be associated with leishmaniasis. This study shows the presence of leishmaniasis and suggest the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in state of Paraná due to the confirmed occurrence of seroreactive dogs on Argentina and Paraguay border, which has environmental and geographical characteristics that favor the spread of the parasite.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in dogs from localities in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná state, Brazil, on the border with Argentina and Paraguay. Blood samples dogs were collected to perform the following serologic tests: immunochromatographic DPP® rapid test, indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). In 2012, 285 dogs were analyzed on Argentina border, and in 2013, serum samples from 396 dogs on the border of Paraguay were collected. Using ELISA for screening and IFA for the confirmatory test, the results showed that the antibody prevalence was 1.8% (5/285) on the border of Argentina and 3.0% (12/396) on Paraguay border. When using the DPP® for screening and ELISA as a confirmatory analysis, we observed a seroreagent prevalence in dogs of 2.5% (7/285) on Argentina border and 5.1% (20/396) on Paraguay border. The non-public collection of domestic waste (p= 0.0004) was shown to be associated with leishmaniasis. This study shows the presence of leishmaniasis and suggest the emergence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in state of Paraná due to the confirmed occurrence of seroreactive dogs on Argentina and Paraguay border, which has environmental and geographical characteristics that favor the spread of the parasite.