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Year 2014 - Volume 34, Number 12
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Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals, 34(12):1243-1246
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ABSTRACT.- Lombardi M.C., Turchetti A.P., Tinoco H.P., Pessanha A.T., Soave S.A., Malta M.C.C., Paixão T.A. & Santos R.L. 2014. Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(12):1241-1244. Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil. E-mail: rsantos@vet.ufmg.br
Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Leishmania infantum (synonym: Leishmania chagasi) and transmitted by the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. It is an endemic zoonosis in several regions of the country, including Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais). In urban areas, the domestic dog is susceptible and considered the most important animal reservoir. However, L. infantum has been previously diagnosed in other species, including captive primates and canids. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the agent DNA in captive animals as well as some free ranging animals from the Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Eighty one blood samples from primates, carnivores, ruminants, edentates, marsupial, and a monogastric herbivore were analyzed. Three primates Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey), and two canids Speothos venaticus (bush dog) were positive, demonstrating the importance of leishmaniasis control in endemic areas for preservation of wildlife species in captivity. |
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