Seroprevalence of Canine Leishmaniasis in Owned and Stray Dogs from Grenada, West Indies

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Leishmania antibodies in two populations of dogs (owned and stray) in Grenada, West Indies. Leishmainiasis caused by a hemoflagelate protozoan, is zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of animals including man. Dogs are considered main reservoir for the organism. Antibodies to Leishmania spp were determined in serum samples from 836 dogs (344 stray and 492 owned dogs) using qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick tests (ICTs) based on recombinant antigens specific for visceral leishmaniasis (Kalzar detect rapid test:In Bios, USA). Seropositivity for leishamanis spp. was detected in 23 dogs (2.7%, 95% confidence Interval (CI) 1.06% to 3.8%). Thirteen of these were stray dogs (3.7%) and ten were owned dogs (2.0%). Results from this study indicate that dogs in Grenada are exposed at a low level to leishamaniasis.