Pesquisa de imunoglobulinas anti-Leishmania spp. e avaliação clínica de gatos residentes em áreas endêmicas do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Despite some reports of the occurrence of Leishmaniasis in felines, the literature is scarce with regard to its research on populations of cats from areas endemic to the disease. In this way, the present study aimed to investigate the possibility of infection in cats by means of a rapid qualitative test of the antibody test in Seropédica and Itaguaí, metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, an endemic area for tegumentary and visceral canine leishmaniasis Anti-Leishmania chagasi by indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence (RIFI). For this purpose, blood samples were collected and the serum of 255 cats was sent to the Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (FIOCRUZ). In this population of cats five animals (1.9%, 5/255) were reactive to the rapid test (TR DPP®), 44 (17.3%) had anti-Leishmania spp. Identified by the RIFI. The main clinical signs observed in the seropositive animals were ocular secretion (16/44 - 36%), nasal secretion (16/44 - 36%), weight loss (7/44 - 15.9%), alopecia (6/44 - 13 , 6%) and ulcerated skin lesions (5/44 - 11.3%), in addition to hepatosplenomegaly (2/44 - 4.5%), lymphadenomegaly (5/44 - 11.3%), corneal opacity 2/44 - 4.5%) and gingivitis (2/44 - 4.5%). It was not possible to establish a standardization for the ELISA. Detection of anti-Leishmania spp. in felines, calls attention to this species that must be further investigated in relation to its power as a source of infection in relation to the parasite.