Due to expansion of vector borne diseases and their importance for human
health we have investigated the prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania
infantum antigens in serum samples of dogs. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused
by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. According to the World Health
Organization the disease is a constant threat to 350 million people in 88
countries, provided that most Mediterranean countries belong to the area
designated as endemic. Since Crna Gora is a country of Mediterranean basin,
it is important to present the results of the investigation on the presence
of antibodies on L. infantum antigens in blood serum of dogs, considering
that dogs can be reservoirs and source of infection for humans. In the period
from 2006. to 2010., there were tested 433 serum samples of dogs with
clinical symptoms and 68 serum samples of dogs without symptoms of the
disease. Those were dogs with visible symptoms of the disease such as
alopecia, weight loss and lymphadenomegalia. In 66% of cases, there was known
hematological profile with predominant hypochromic anemia and neutrophilic
leukocytosis. As mentioned above, the investigation included also 68
asymptomatic dogs in good condition, out of which 45 were service dogs in use
in military and police as well as 23 dogs from the asylum. By Indirect
immunofluorescence test or Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IF-AT)
and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT), there was determined the presence of
specific antibodies to L. infantum antigens. Positive findings in the serum
dilution 1:160 was deter?mined in 258 samples (59.58%) in the group of dogs
with clinical symptoms, and in 5.9% in the tested asymptomatic dogs. A part
of the territory of Crna Gora with its average annual air temperature of 14.6
- 17.8?C and mediterranean climate (long, warm and dry summer and mild, rainy
winter) has all the prerequisites for the development and maintenance of the
infection. The confirmed presence of five kinds of Phlebotomines on the
territory of Crna Gora which are essential in the cycle of developing and
maintaining of Leishmania species with dominant Phlebotomus neglectus
species, additionally proves a great risk of occur?rence and maintenance of
the disease. The obtained results of seroprevalence in dogs are in
correlation with the results of 55 cases of visceral leishmaniasis recorded
by the Institute for Public Health in people from 1992 to 2009. Taking into
consideration that seronegative findings and absence of symptoms does not
exclude the infection, as well as that seropositive finding does not
necessarily confirm it, a high level of seroprevalence (of 59.58%) in dogs in
urban regions of Crna Gora, recorded during 5 years period, is by itself an
alarming epizootiological and epidemiological fact.