Emergence of autochthonous <i>Leishmania infantum</i> infection in dogs from Costa Rica confirmed by multimodal diagnostics: a case series.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum. This parasite has been reported in humans and dogs from Costa Rica over the past four decades as sporadic reports. In this study, we analyzed eight cases of autochthonous infections in dogs presumably originating from Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, and Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica, none of which had a history of travel abroad.

Methods

Eight dogs with suspected CVL were analyzed using serological assays (Speed Leish K® (VIRBAC Diagnostics, France) or Antigen Rapid CaniV-4 (Leish)® (BIONOTE, Mexico)), five dogs were detected in 2023, and three during 2025. Histopathological staining was applied in cases with spleen, dermal, and lymph node involvement to determine

SUBMITTER: Montenegro VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12870656 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature