ABREVIATURAS

Abstract

39 Leishmaniasis is an infectious-parasitic zoonosis caused by a protozoan of the genus 40 Leishmania spp. The main form of transmission occurs by the bite of mosquitoes of the 41 genus Phlebotomus spp. and Lutzomyia spp. Feline leishmaniasis has been reported 42 sporadically in various parts of the world and its role as reservoir has not been clarified. 43 This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of leishmaniasis in cats treated at the 44 Veterinary Hospital and to evaluate the knowledge of the tutors about the disease. 45 Venous puncture was performed for ELISA and FNAB of the popliteal lymph nodes of 46 70 cats, SRD, of both sexes, of different ages, investigating the presence of Leishmania 47 spp. A questionnaire was applied to assess the perception of tutors on leishmaniasis. In 48 the ELISA test, 2.86% of the cats were seroreagent and 100% negative in PAAF. 85% 49 of tutors have heard about leishmaniasis; 73.33% said it was transmitted to man; 50 53.33% said it is transmitted by mosquito bite. It is believed that the low prevalence 51 observed may be due to the fact that the felines present an immunological response to 52 the varied disease, stating the possibility of the species serving as a reservoir and 53 participating in the disease clico.