Canine Leishmaniasis - Diagnosis and Testing

Diagnosis and Testing

In the United States, certain breed clubs are strongly recommending screening for Leishmania, especially in imported breeding stock from endemic locations. For reasons yet unidentified The Foxhound and Neapolitan Mastiff seem to be predisposed or at higher risk for disease. The Italian Spinone Club of America is also requesting all breeders and owners to submit samples for testing; the club reported 150 Spinone Italiano dogs have tested positive in the United States.

In the United States, the following veterinary colleges and government bodies assist with testing and treatment of Leishmania-positive dogs:

• Iowa State University Department of Pathology
• North Carolina
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The polmerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of Leishmania DNA is the most sensitive and accurate method for detecting it. A study completed on Foxhounds which were tested with PCR showed approximately 20% of the tested dogs were positive; the same population tested with antibody serology (the traditional testing method in the US) showed only 5% positive.

Diagnosis can be complicated by false positives caused by the leptospirosis vaccine, and false negatives caused by testing methods which lack sufficient sensitivity.