Serological Survey of Leishmania Infantum in Jackals in Golestan Province, Iran (2011-2013)

Background and Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the fatal zoonotic diseases of dogs and humans that is created by Leishmania infantum. Wild and domestic canids are the main reservoirs. Recent reports have shown the growth of leishmaniasis in non-endemic areas of Iran such as Golestan province (in northeast of Iran). Jackals (Canis aureus) are widely distributed in rural areas of Golestan province. So, this study was carried out to survey the role of jackals in epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Golestan province. Serum sample of 60 jackals has been collected and analyzed by ELIZA kit. According to the kit instruction, 5(8.3%) serum samples have been found positive. Frequency of infection was similar in both sexes and different seasons. L.infantum infection of sampled jackals revealed presence of L.infantum in sampling areas and also the possibility of L.infantum spread among wild and rural areas by jackals. More vast and molecular studies with high sensitivity and specificity on L.infantum of jackals are recommended to obtain more accurate information on the role of jackals in spreading leishmaniasis.