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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Risk and protective factors of Leishmaniasis in the rural ar...
BMC veterinary research2021; 17(1); 330; doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-03021-6

Risk and protective factors of Leishmaniasis in the rural area of the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Abstract: The Leishmaniases are on the top of the global list of tropical neglected diseases. The number of infected dogs in South America is estimated in millions and correlated to disease cases in humans, especially in Brazil. Equines may get infected too and can play a role in the epidemiological chain. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate risk and protective factors of leishmaniasis in rural areas of the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil by Leishmania spp. protozoa molecular detection and serological evaluation (ELISA) in equine and canine blood samples. This work included nine farms around the city of Uruguaiana. Epidemiologic information regarding farm characteristics and biologic material collection of canine (22) and equine (91), totalizing 113 samples was collected. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect Leishmania spp. in biological samples. Variables related to the farm were collected and evaluated through descriptive analysis followed by chi-square test and a logistic regression analysis. Results: Nineteen positive samples (19/113 - 16,81%) were detected, being 18 equines and 1 canine, in six of the nine farms included in the study. No animal showed clinical signs of the disease. According to the variables analyzed, when compared each characteristic separately, the presence of abundant vegetation and poor hygiene demonstrated to be risk factors to Leishmania infection in rural areas. The logistic regression showed that excellent general hygiene, proximity to the weir and trimmed grass were protective factors (p=0.038, p=0.001 and p=0.014, respectively). Having excellent hygiene represents a 70% lower chance of getting infected, keeping the grass cut protects the animal by more than 90% and the proximity of the weir represents a protective factor of 96%. Conclusions: The presence of Leishmania infection in the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul was 16,81% and it was influenced by farm characteristics. The role of the excellent general hygiene as a protective factor is extremely relevant in the leishmaniases prevention.
© 2021. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2021-10-14 PubMed ID: 34649576PubMed Central: PMC8515718DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03021-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study assessed the risk and protective factors for Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, in rural areas of western Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, particularly focusing on the role of farm hygiene, vegetation, and proximity to water bodies in disease transmission in canines and equines.

Methods

  • The study was carried out in nine farms near Uruguaiana, a city located in the Rio Grande do Sul region. Biological samples were collected from 22 canines and 91 equines, adding up to a total of 113 samples.
  • The presence of Leishmania, the parasite causing the disease, was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in the collected samples.
  • The researchers gathered information about various factors that might influence the spread of leishmaniasis, including farm hygiene, density of vegetation, and the proximity of the farm to water bodies (the weir).
  • The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis followed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to identify potential risk and protective factors.

Results

  • The results revealed an overall infection incidence of 16.81%, with 18 equines and 1 dog testing positive for Leishmania in six out of the nine farms included in the study. No animal displayed clinical symptoms of the disease.
  • Abundant vegetation and poor hygiene were identified as risk factors for Leishmaniasis infection.
  • The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that excellent general farm hygiene, proximity to the weir, and trimmed grass acted as protective factors against Leishmania infection, lowering the chances of infection by 70%, 96% and over 90% respectively.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The findings show that Leishmania infection is prevalent in the Rio Grande do Sul region and is associated with the conditions and characteristics of farms in the area.
  • Effective preventive strategies, including maintaining good general hygiene, reducing vegetation and keeping a farm near to a water body could significantly reduce the risk of infection.
  • The researchers however pointed out the need for further studies to validate these findings and provide a more definitive understanding of the complex dynamics of Leishmania transmission.

Cite This Article

APA
Pradella GD, Duarte CA, Escobar TA, Zuravski L, Góss GC, Skupien JA, Lübeck I. (2021). Risk and protective factors of Leishmaniasis in the rural area of the western border region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. BMC Vet Res, 17(1), 330. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-03021-6

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Pages: 330
PII: 330

Researcher Affiliations

Pradella, Gabriela Döwich
  • Federal University of Pampa- UNIPAMPA, 118, BR 472 - Km 585, Uruguaiana, RS, 97501-970, Brazil. gabrieladowich@hotmail.com.
Duarte, Claudia Acosta
  • Federal University of Pampa- UNIPAMPA, 118, BR 472 - Km 585, Uruguaiana, RS, 97501-970, Brazil.
Escobar, Taiane Acunha
  • Federal University of Pampa- UNIPAMPA, 118, BR 472 - Km 585, Uruguaiana, RS, 97501-970, Brazil.
Zuravski, Luísa
  • Federal University of Pampa- UNIPAMPA, 118, BR 472 - Km 585, Uruguaiana, RS, 97501-970, Brazil.
Góss, Geórgia Camargo
  • Federal University of Pampa- UNIPAMPA, 118, BR 472 - Km 585, Uruguaiana, RS, 97501-970, Brazil.
Skupien, Jovito Adiel
  • Graduate Program in Health and Life Sciences-Franciscan University - UFN, Andradas Street, 1614, Santa Maria, RS, 97010-032, Brazil.
Lübeck, Irina
  • Federal University of Pampa- UNIPAMPA, 118, BR 472 - Km 585, Uruguaiana, RS, 97501-970, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dogs
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Hygiene
  • Leishmaniasis / epidemiology
  • Leishmaniasis / veterinary
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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