Serological evaluation of dogs vaccinated with commercial vaccines against visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Íuna – ES after one year of vaccination

Abstract

The municipality of Íuna – ES is classified as an endemic region for American tegumentary leishmaniasis and bordered with endemic regions for visceral leishmaniasis of the State of Minas Gerais. Fourteen dogs identified with subcutaneous numeric chips were vaccinated with a commercial vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis by the end of 2014, with three doses of the respective vaccine and not being revaccinated during the year 2015. These dogs were monitored during the year 2015 and no animals developed clinical symptoms for visceral or tegumentary leishmaniasis. The ELISA test was performed with the serum of these animals against the antigens of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania infantum chagasi and A2 vaccine antigen, and it was found that 64.2% and 85.7% and 100% were positive antigens, indicating that the animals remain immunized. Thus, it is also concluded that the conventional indirect ELISA technique with the antigens used cannot differentiate vaccinated and asymptomatic animals, which indicates a cross reaction, since sera positive for A2 vaccine antigen are also partially positive for L. braziliensis and L. chagasi culture antigens.