Seroprevalence of CANINE LEISHMANIASIS AND American trypanosomiasis in dogs from Grenada, West Indies

Authors: ROSYPAL, A - Johnson C Smith University; TRIPP, S - Johnson C Smith University; KINLAW, C - St George'S University; SHARMA, R - St George'S University; STONE, D - St George'S University; Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2009
Publication Date: 2/1/2010
Citation: Rosypal, A.C., Tripp, S., Kinlaw, C., Sharma, R.N., Stone, D., Dubey, J.P. 2010. Seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis and American trypanosomiasis in dogs from Grenada, West Indies. Journal of Parasitology. 96:228-229.

Interpretive Summary: Leishmania species, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Toxoplasma gondii are single-celled parasite of all warm-blooded hosts. Tissue phases of these parasites are difficult to identify in histological sections. In the present paper, scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and from an University in North Carolina report prevalence of these parasites in dogs from Grenada. The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Canine leishmaniasis and American trypanosomiasis (AT) are caused by related hemoflagellated parasites, Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, which share several common host species. Dogs are reservoirs for human infections with both pathogens. We determined the prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi in dogs from Grenada, West Indies. We examined 70 dog sera using the qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick tests (ICT) based on recombinant antigens specific for visceral leishmaniasis and AT. Antibodies to visceralizing Leishmania were not detected in Grenadian dogs by ICT. Using the canine dipsticks for AT, antibodies to T. cruzi were determined in 3 (0.4%) of the 70 dogs. Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are exposed to T. cruzi at a low rate, but not to visceralizing Leishmania parasites.