The first record of American visceral leishmaniasis in domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Acta Trop. 2008 Jan;105(1):92-4. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2007.09.001. Epub 2007 Sep 14.

Abstract

This paper is the first to report visceral leishmaniasis in domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from an endemic area in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A relatively high seroprevalence of 25% was observed although none of them have presented any symptom. Our results support the observation of previous authors, suggesting that cats may be considered as alternative domestic hosts of visceral leishmaniasis and should be included in serological investigations performed in endemic areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cats
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / diagnosis*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies