Investigation of anti-toxoplasma gondii and anti-leishmania infantum antibodies among Sivas Kangal dogs

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and leishmaniosis among Kangal dogs on breeding farms in Sivas, Turkey. Serum samples from 50 Kangal dogs without clinical symptoms of disease were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies with the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT) and for anti- Leishmania antibodies with the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Forty- six out of the 50 dogs were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii, with titers ranging from 1: 16 to 1: 1024. Only 1 of the 50 dogs was seropositive for leishmaniosis (titer: 1: 128) and 5 had anti- Leishmania antibodies with a titer of 1: 64, which was considered uncertain. There were no statistically significant differences in the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and leishmaniosis based the gender and age of the dogs (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the study revealed that Toxoplasma gondii is widely distributed in Kangal dogs. Although the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis among Kangal dogs was low and no clinical signs were observed, asymptomatic animals can be significant reservoirs for the spread of the disease.