Canine Leishmaniasis in Algeria: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT

The main objectives of our study were to highlight the annual incidence of Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) in Algeria. A retrospective study was conducted on CanL in Algeria between 2010–2019, by means of a questionnaire survey of 30 canine veterinarians practising in the North central region, Algiers. The retrospective study showed 78 cases of Canine Leishmaniasis (2010 and 2019), with an average of 13.73 per year. The highest mean was observed in 2013:3.400, [1.517–5.283] 95%, with a significant difference (p = 0.028). The cross-sectional survey showed that 44.4% of canine leishmaniasis cases are prevalent in spring and summer. Weight loss was the most frequent clinical sign of 88.9% and skin sampling was the most used diagnostic test to confirm this disease 66.9%. Our study provides a general view of the situation of this disease, particularly the number of cases, and their geographical distribution in Algeria. Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a serious zoonosis. Strict measures must be put in place.

KEYWORDS:

• Canine leishmaniasis
• retrospective study
• zoonosis
• Algeria

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Algeria and carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. We extend our sincere thanks to all the people who had a role in making this work happen.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

RB: Conceptualization, Writing. DS, AD and SA: methodology. LL and AA: data analysis and interpretation. NS: Review.