Leishmaniasis in Tuscany (Italy): VI. Canine leishmaniasis in the focus of Monte Argentario (Grosseto).

The results of a survey of canine leishmaniasis in the coastal focus of Monte Argentario (Tuscany, Italy) are reported. Of the 171 dogs examined, 41 (23.9%) were positive in the fluorescent antibody test (FAT), but only 12 (7.0%) were positive by microscopic observation of lymphatic ganglia. Of the 41 FAT positive dogs, 17 (10.0%) showed signs of the disease. The evolution of leishmaniasis over one year from the first examination showed that 88.0% of the dogs with signs died of the disease, and 36.0% of the asymptomatic dogs became patent or died; 52.0% of the asymptomatic dogs had apparently recovered. The prevalence of the disease, the geographical, age, sex and race distribution of cases, the evolution of leishmaniasis in dogs and FAT positivity are discussed.