Original scientific paper

Serological and entomological studies of canine leishmaniosis in Croatia.

Tatjana Živičnjak ; Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Franjo Martinković ; Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Christina Khoury ; Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
Gioia Bongiorno ; Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy
Sanja Bosnić ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb
Damir Lukačević ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Split
Michele Maroli ; Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome, Italy

Abstract

In Croatia, canine leishmaniosis has been recognized in the southern littoral area (Dalmatia) as a reemerging disease since 1997. This paper reports the fi ndings of a survey carried out 2.5 years after the suspension of control measures for canine leishmaniosis. Entomological and cross-sectional serological surveys were carried out in the Kaštela municipality in the Split-Dalmatia County (where stable foci of canine leishmaniosis were reported previously), and in a few localities from the Šibenik-Knin county where a few unstable foci were previously reported. Serological surveys detected a focus with 31% seropositive dogs in Rudine (the known enzootic area); a tendency for a new stable focus appearance in the Šibenik-Knin County (Rogoznica), with cumulative seropositivity of 13.5% in both areas. Entomological studies evidenced two competent Leishmania vectors, Phlebotomus neglectus and P. tobbi; the fi rst was prevalent (75.9%) being also the species much more associated to habitats where dogs are present. Moreover, prevalence for P. neglectus females feeding on human blood reached 30%.

Keywords

Leishmania infantum; monitoring,; dog; sand fly; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

66651

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/66651

Publication date:

21.2.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.811 *