Leishmania sp. infection in dogs from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, SC, Brazil Infecção por Leishmania sp. em cães de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Leishmania sp. infection in dogs (N = 491) living in the municipality of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, which was considered a disease-free region for visceral leishmaniasis until 2011, when autochthonous cases of canine disease were notified. Seroprevalence in this population was assessed by ELISA (0.4%; 2/491) and IFAT (4.09%; 24/491). Only one dog exhibited seroreactivity in both serological methods, comprising a total of 25 (5.3%) seroreagent animals. Leishmania sp. DNA, obtained from a sample of whole blood of this animal, was amplified by both conventional and Real-Time PCR. Sequencing of the amplified DNA and, thereby, determination of the Leishmania species involved, was not possible. Our results suggest the necessity of a thorough epidemiological investigation in Florianopolis.