CANINE LEISHMANIASIS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Autochthonous focuses of visceral leishmaniasis have occurred in dogs in Ohio and Oklahoma. Most dogs diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis in the United States acquire the infection during travel to Mediterran ean countries, where the disease is epizootic. Leishmaniasis is caused by a diphasic protozoan that infects the macrophage-monocyte phagocyt ic system and is transmitted by an insect vector, the sand fly. Other vectors may transmit the disease in the United States. Visceral leishm aniasis in dogs is a chronic wasting disease that can involve any orga n but commonly affects the skin, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and eyes. A lthough pentavalent anti-monial compounds have traditionally been used to treat leishmaniasis, patients are not usually cured and relapses a re common within months of therapy. Alternative treatment with amphote ricin B. ketoconazole, itraconazole, or allopurinol may improve the ef ficacy and decrease adverse effects of treatment.