Canine visceral leishmaniasis: Diagnosis and management of the reservoir living among us.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Bruno L Travi, Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Guadalupe Miró
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2018
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006082; https://doaj.org/article/46daf2c969aa4dddb45917fc3f8f601c

This article reviews essential topics of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) due to Leishmania infantum infection. It focuses on the current serological and molecular diagnostic methods used in epidemiological research and veterinary clinics to diagnose CVL and includes new point-of-care (POC) tests under development. The efficacy of different treatment regimens on the clinical improvement and infectiousness of dogs is also addressed. In the last section, the review provides a critical appraisal of the effectiveness of different control measures that have been implemented to curb disease transmission.