Public knowledge about and detection of canine visceral leishmaniasis in urban Divin??polis, Brazil

Background. Leishmaniases are diseases with awide spectrumof clinical manifestations including cutaneous (CL) and visceral (VL) forms. Many factors may affect their occurrence and expansion including environmental, geographic, and social conditions. In the past two decades, Divin??polis, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, has exhibited the potential for a disease outbreak, with the appearance of CL, and VL cases (human and canine). Hence, this study was initiated tomonitor public knowledge of the disease. Questionnaires were administered in four neighborhoods (Jardim Belvedere, Esplanada, Danilo Passos I and II) where most of the human and canine cases have been reported. The analyses demonstrated that public knowledge of the disease is sparse and fragmented. A strong perception of the dog as the main reservoir was observed. Five veterinary clinics were evaluated for the presence of canine VL using serological (RIFI and ELISA) andmolecular (PCR-RFLP) techniques. This is the first study demonstrating the occurrence of Leishmania infantumin Divin??polis, suggesting a possible urbanization of VL