Prevalence and Risk Factors of Canine Leishmaniasis in Gedaref State

Abstract

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), is a chronic viscero cutaneous disease caused by L. infantum and L. chagasi. Dogs (Canis familiaris) are the main reservoir for Leishmania spp., thus play an active role in the transmission to humans. Visceral leishmaniosis is endemic in Al Gedaref State, Eastern Sudan, representing about 80% of the annual incidence of the disease in the Sudan. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) infection in household and stray dogs in Al Gedaref State. In addition, risk factors that associated with the occurrence of the disease including locality, age, gender, dog type (household or stray) and occupation were investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2017, a total of 151 blood samples were taken from dogs in the five investigated localities and subsequently screened by using Giemsa stained thin smears and PCR. According to Giemsa staining, the overall prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in the State was 44.4% (67/151), with geographical variation: 85% in Al Gurreisha, 64.3% in Basunda, 45.5% in Gedaref municipality, 9.5% in Eastern Gallabat (Doka) and 4.2% in Al Hawata. The prevalence of leishmaniasis infection was 23.8% in stray dogs and 47.7% in domestic dogs. Regarding dog occupation, the infection rate was 38.1% in game dogs, 41.9% in guard dogs and 59.6% in pet dogs. The prevalence of CanL was 49.1% in male and 32.6% in female dogs. Among different age groups of dogs investigated, dogs up to 1year recorded 50% prevalence and 40.9% in dogs more than 1year. 151 blood samples from examined dogs in different localities of the State were analysed by PCR for Leishmania donovani infection. All samples were PCR negative for Leishmania donovani species. The present study confirmed that investigated dogs were not affected with Leishmania donovani species and further investigation for the other Leishmania species is needed to investigate the role of dogs in the epidemiology of human visceral leishmaniasis in this endemic area.