Retrospective analysis of canine leishmaniosis cases in the eastern part of the Emilia-Romagna region.

A retrospective analysis of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) cases occurred between 1995 and 2007 in an area of the eastern part of the Emilia-Romagna region, was performed. Data of CanL were obtained by the voluntary reports of veterinary pratictioners and implemented by cases coming from the laboratory of serology of Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology- Bologna University. A total of 69 new cases of CanL were recorded in 10 municipalities. 37 of them must be considered autochthonous and 15 imported. An important cluster was observed in the town of Imola. Many other reports of positive dogs have been come from the same area since the historical outbreak of human visceral leishmaniosis in the 70’s. This seems to confirm the presence of an active focus of CanL. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) allows a better understanding of the epidemiological pattern of the infection