THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS AT BAGHDAD AND SUBURBS

Abstract

A total of 191 venous blood samples from dogs ( stray and houses) were examined for detection of leishmaniasis by tow serological tests (DIPSTICK and IFAT) to confirms their infection with the disease or non The total rate of infection that recorded was 6.6 %, lowest rate of infection 3.7 % reported in the centre of Baghdad and in the suburbs AL-Sewara 6.6 %, AL-Azezia 5 %, AL-Hafria 4.3 %, Naheat alwihda 4.7 %, Abugraib 0 %, AL-Mahmodia 0 %. In dogs there is no significant difference revealed between male and female, male was 4.3 %, female 3 %. The study showed a clear effect for the presence of the dogs in the spreading of the disease, where 81.2 % from patients families possess a dog compared with 11 % from the control group who possess dog. the sensitivity and specificity by IFAT test was 100 %, while, the sensitivity and specificity was 100 % when DIPSTICK was used.