Investigation of the Canine Leishmaniasis in Hatay/Turkey

Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasite in dogs. It represents a significant public health concern due to its potential for transmission to humans. In our study, we aimed to investigate CanL in Hatay using different diagnostic methods. Blood (plain and citrated) samples, lymph node aspiration, and conjunctival swabs were collected from 100 dogs. Smear preparations were prepared from blood and lymph aspiration. NNN medium was cultured from blood pellet sections and lymph aspiration. The rK39 dipstick test and ELISA were used to investigate the sera samples. Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was applied by performing DNA extraction from blood pellet sections, citrated blood, lymph node aspiration, conjunctival swabs, and reproductive medium. Leishmania amastigotes were not detected in examined blood smears, while amastigotes were detected in 18.60 % (8/43) of lymph aspiration smears. Growth of promastigotes was observed in 4 % (4/100) of blood pellet sections and 11.63 % (5/43) of lymph node aspirations in NNN. The percent of seropositive animals according to ELISA and rK39 dipstick test were 60 % (60/100) and 22 % (22/100), respectively. As a result of ITS-1 RT-PCR 12 % (12/100) with blood pellet sections, 11 %(11/100) with citrated blood, 46.51 %(20/43) with lymph aspiration, and 23 % (23/100) with conjunctival swab showed positivity. One dog that was confirmed positive via molecular analysis was identified as L. tropica, while the rest were classified as L. infantum/donovani in all samples. The L. infantum/donovani samples were determined to be L. infantum via Hsp70 RT-PCR. In conclusion, ELISA yielded the highest positivity rate among the used methods. L. infantum was detected in dogs in Hatay, and L. tropica was identified as the causative agent in dogs for the first time. This data suggests that CanL is a public health concern in Hatay and that integrated control strategies should be developed to combat the disease.