Autochthonous case of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis and presence of sand flies in a high altitude area

Abstract

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in a disease that affect dogs. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of VL and presence of sand flies in a high-altitude area in an area of Northeastern Brazil and discuss the findings based in One Health approach. In February 2019, a sampling was performed of a suspected animal (n=1), and the presence of sand flies was investigated using CDC light traps, the sand flies were collected and morphologically identified, were collected a total of 4 specimen. The dog scored positive for Leishmania infantum and the four specimens were classified as Lutzomyia evandroi.  Findings of this study serve as alert for the health service and veterinary practitioners of the region regards the presence of dogs infected by L. infantum and its putative vectors, in new area of occurrence of Leishmaniasis.