Infecção por Leishmania infantum (syn. chagasi) em gatos provenientes de uma área endêmica para leishmaniose canina e humana, na região sudeste do Brasil

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important zoonosis caused by Leishmania infantum (syn. chagasi) in Americas and transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis, genus phlebotomines. The diagnosis of Leishmania infection in cats is very important to better comprehend the role of felines on LV’s epidemiological chain. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of L. infantum (syn. chagasi) in 109 cats from Birigui, SP, Brazil, an endemic area for canine and human leishmaniasis, by using Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT), hemoculture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Fifty two (47.7%; CI95% 38.6-57.0%) samples were positive by the hemoculture, three (2.8%; CI95% 1.0-7.8%) by IFAT and 17 (15.6%; CI95% 10.0-23.6%) by PCR. According to the results, we can conclude that cats from endemic areas for the infection can be frequently exposed to the agent and suggest the importance of these animals in the epidemiological cycle, demonstrating the need for further research and diagnostic alternatives to aid in the establishment of preventive steps to control this disease.