ABSTRACT

Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) is endemic along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, while it occurs sporadically in other regions of Turkey. A relationship between canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and HVL has been detected and dogs have been found to be the reservoir of Leishmania infantum. In this epidemiologic study, the seroprevalence of CanL was investigated in dog shelters of four districts (Kepez, Kemer, Alanya and Gazipasa) of Antalya, in which visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis were observed according to the official records of The Ministry of Health of Turkey. Blood specimens of 176 dogs were examined and seropositive, borderline, seropositive, and negative results were detected in 14 (7.95%), 24 (13.63%), and 138 (78.4%) dogs, respectively. Weight and alopecia, onychogryphosis, and skin ulcers around the nose were observed in only two (14.2 %) dogs of seropositive cases. In conclusion, our data indicate that there is a potential danger for humans because L. infantum carrying dogs were detected in four districts of Antalya in the present study and also the appropriate vector spp. for this parasite has been reported in a previous one. Therefore, it would be advisable to perform new studies in order to determine the seroprevalence of CanL in dogs and the population size of vector spp. of L. infantum in other districts of Antalya.