Epidemiological features of Leishmania infantum in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) suggest a latent risk of visceral leishmaniasis in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga‚ Santander.

Introduction: this study aims to investigate the eco-epidemiological factors associated with Leishmania spp. infection in dogs from the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga (MAB)‚ Santander‚ eastern Colombia‚ which is a region at risk of VL. Methods: we conducted molecular and serological surveillance of Leishmania spp. in 207 dogs from MAB to determine the epidemiological factors associated with infection. Subsequently‚ we carried out a molecular and serological analysis of phlebotomine and humans in the area to describe the main features associated with the transmission cycle. Results: out of the 207 dogs tested‚ 37 (17.8 %‚ 95 % CI=12.6 - 23.1 %) were positive for Leishmania spp. by the IFAT test‚ and only 9 (4.3 %‚ 95 % CI=1.55 - 7.15 %) were positive for L. infantum in the molecular analysis. Multivariate analyses indicated that canine shelters had a higher prevalence of infection (p < 0.05). In the entomological survey‚ 69 blood-fed female phlebotomine of the genus Lutzomyia were captured in canine shelters‚ among them‚ 55 % were identified as Lutzomyia camposi‚ 29 % as Lu. ovallesi‚ 7 % as Lu. dubitans‚ 6 % as Lu. torvida‚ and 3 % as Lu. cayennensis. The identified meal sources of the phlebotomine included human‚ pig‚ avian‚ cattle‚ and porcupine (Coendou quichua) blood. However‚ no phlebotomine positive for Leishmania spp. were detected by molecular analyses. Finally‚ 14 humans who had frequent contact with L. infantum-positive dogs were analyzed through rK39 test‚ but none was positive for IgG/IgM antibodies. Conclusion: the molecular and serological analyses indicate a low prevalence of L. infantum in dogs from MAB‚ with canine shelters having the highest prevalence of infection. The entomological survey of canine shelters showed a significant diversity of phlebotomine without potential vectors of L. infantum‚ suggesting that the infection in dogs from these areas could take place in other locations or through other transmission routes. The circulation of L. infantum in multiple dogs from MAB suggests a latent risk of zoonotic transmission of VL in these cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]