Molecular prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in Burdur, Türkiye

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is among the most important vector-borne parasitic diseases in dogs worldwide, except for Oceania, and can be fatal if left untreated. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence of L. infantum, the causative agent of CanL, in Burdur province of Türkiye. Blood samples collected from 120 dogs were first examined for Leishmania spp. by genus-spesific PCR and then positives were examined for L. infantum/donovani complex by species-spesific PCR. As a result, Leishmania DNA was detected in five out of the 120 samples in the first-stage PCR, resulting in a molecular positivity rate of 4.16% at the genus level. Among these five samples, four were positive for L. infantum in the second-stage PCR, leading to a prevalence of 3.33% for L. infantum. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of gender and age concerning L. infantum positivity. Additionally, blood smears were examined under a microscope, but no Leishmania amastigotes were observed in any of the samples. With this obtained data, the presence of Leishmania spp. and L. infantum in dogs in Burdur is reported for the first time using a molecular method. The importance of vector fly control has been remembered once again in order to protect from the disease both animals that can be host of parasites, especially dogs, and human society, since it is a zoonotic disease.