ABSTRACT
Background:
Although canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) transmission primarily occurs through the bite of phlebotomine sand flies infected with Leishmania infantum, alternative routes may exist.
Methods:
Thirty-four dogs diagnosed with CVL were sampled for parasitological investigation in tissues from the reproductive tract.
Results:
Amastigotes of Leishmania sp. were present in 79% (27/34) of the reproductive system samples, with distinct infection rates depending on the tissue.
Conclusions:
Our data confirms that alternative routes, such as horizontal and vertical transmissions, should be considered in the epidemiological chain of CVL.
Keywords:
Canine visceral leishmaniasis; Canine reproductive tract; Venereal transmission; Leishmania