Detection of Leishmania infantum Antibodies in Stray Dogs from Nonendemic Areas in Bulgaria.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic protozoan infection which is endemic in parts of Europe. Dogs are commonly affected by Leishmania infantum and are regarded as the main reservoir for humans' infection. Sporadic human cases are reported annually, mainly from the endemic south part of Bulgaria. However, no recent data on canine leishmaniasis geographical distribution in Bulgaria have been published. The aim of this study was to investigate the current seroprevalence rate of L. infantum in stray dogs from areas where this infection was not previously reported. Results: The estimated overall seroprevalence rate was 8.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6-14.0) with no significant difference between the two examined districts [ χ 2 (1, N  = 90) = 0.32, p  = 0.69]. In Sofia, the seropositivity was 7.2% (95% CI: 0.9-13.5) and in Sofia (stolitsa) 11.0% (95% CI: 0-23.0). No association between sex and serological status [ χ 2 (1, N  = 90) = 1.83, p  = 0.27] and age and seropositivity [ χ 2 (2, N  = 90) = 1.98, p  = 0.52] was detected. High levels of antibodies (fourfold increase from the assay's cut-off) were observed in half of the positive dogs.