[Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis: diagnostic tests do not detect real state of the infection]

Establishing indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) and enzyme-inked immunoassay (ELISA) serological tests' ability to detect canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) infection.

211 cross-bred dogs from the south of the Tolima department (a visceral leishmaniasis endemic area) were evaluated by clinical and serological exams, using the Colombian Leishmania infantum (infantum) MHOM/COL/CL044B strain as antigen. Sera reactivity to Trypanosoma cruzi- specífic antigens was evaluated by Western blot (WB) for establishing crossed-reactions or coinfections. CVL frequency was 44 ,1 % (93/211) by IFAT and 50,2 % (103/211) by ELISA.

Seroreactivity to T. cruzi-specific antigens was 1 ,42 % (3/211). Agreement between the serological techniques was low (K=12 ,1 %) and, in spite of clinical signs being present in the animals being evaluated, the prevalence ratios found demonstrated the lack of association between the occurrence of the clinical manifestations and the diagnostic tests' seropositivity.

The low association between the serological tests used in diagnosing Leishmania infantum suggested the need for further studies aimed at establishing an algorithm for diagnostic tests in Colombia for confirming the real state of the animals' infection and thereby efficiently orientating public health resources allocated for controlling canine visceral leishmaniasis.