Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Dogs play an epidemiological role in several vector-borne diseases that affect human and animal health worldwide. We aimed to identify rickettsial circulation among dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) from a region endemic for both diseases.
METHODS:
CVL-seropositive dogs were screened for spotted fever group rickettsiae using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.
RESULTS:
Among the CVL-positive dogs, anti-Rickettsia rickettsii antibodies were identified in one asymptomatic and one oligosymptomatic dog.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study shows low circulation of antibodies to R. rickettsii in CVL-seropositive dogs. It is recommended that surveillance studies in dogs should continue in order to monitor this scenario.
Keywords:
Indirect immunofluorescence assay; Vector-borne diseases; Zoonosis