Serological and clinical survey of Canine Leishmaniasis in Southwestern Region of Kosovo.

ABSTRACT

Canine Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic in Mediterranean countries. The disease represents an important public health issue in Kosovo in which the autochthonous cases by humans were reported in the last years. The objective of this study was to survey the serological and clinical data of Canine Leishmaniasis in dogs in southwestern region of Kosovo. The blood samples were collected from stray dogs in four municipalities, respectively Prizren, Gjakova, Rahovec and Deçan. The total 125 samples were collected between April/September 2016. Antibodies of Leishmania infantum were detected by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA IgG). Out of total 125 serum samples, 23 dogs (18.4%) were positive for Leishmania infantum. In three of 23 infected dogs (13%) were shown the clinical signs of Canine Leishmaniasis as skin and ocular lesions, decreased appetite, lameness, diarrhea, lethargy and progressive weight loss. The highest infection rate was detected in Prizren municipality (21.6%), followed by Gjakova (17.6%), Rahovec (17.1%) and Deçan (7.8%). The present study confirmed that the Leishmaniasis is endemic in southwestern part of Kosovo and emphasized the need to establish the surveillance and control of this disease.