A prospective survey of Leishmania infantum in a cohort of dogs in an endemic area of South of France

Abstract

In order to evaluate the feasibility of Leishmania vaccine trial in the field, a 50 naive dog cohort was introduced in an active focus if canine leishmaniasis for determination of serological and clinical incidence. The survey was carried out in the Cevennes area at 460 m high a place selected for ecological considerations (expected sandfly, density, hygrometry, affected dogs near the kennel). The 50 Beagle males were divided into two pens of 25 where they were kept. Clinical examination and serological follow-up were done every month from May 17, 1989, to mid-1991. Parasitological diagnosis was made in each doubtful or suspicious case of leishmaniasis. Two years after the beginning of the study, 70 % of dogs were seropositive against Leishmania infantum and 20 dogs displayed typical picture of canine leishmaniasis, among which 16 died. The results are encouraging. They will permit better understanding of natural history of leishmanisis in dogs and will give us a perfect site for field clinical trials of potential vaccines.