Epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis by cross-sectional study in the French focus of Cevennes

A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out on the distribution of canine leishmaniasis in the French focus of Cevennes. Animals were sampled in two vegetation zones : Holm and White Oak zone (WO/HO) and Holm Oak zone (HO) in which villages were chosen for collecting blood from dogs as exhaustively as possible. Sera from 259 dogs were collected and subjected to the indirect immunofluorescence antibodies test (IFAT) and counter immuno-electrophoresis (CIE). Scroprevalence was 17.9 % in the WO/HO level and 9.6 % in the HO level. Serological positivity to Leishmania sp. was significantly associated with a life in the WO/HO level, and sex, dog's activity and age were found to be additional factors. Basic reproductive number (R-0) was 1.21 in the WO/HO level and 1.11 in the HO level. Prevalence has moderately increased during the last ten years, especially in the peri-urban HO zone.