Canine leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum MON-1 in northern Morocco

A seroprevalence study of canine leishmaniasis was carried out in five prov inces in northern Morocco: Taounate, Al Hoceima, Zouagha Moulay Yacoub, Che fchaouen and Ouezzane. 55 localities have been concerned and a total of 1,0 13 dogs were screened, which represents almost 100% of the canine census. O f the screened dogs: 87 showed antibody titer greater than or equal to 100 when tested by IFAT (seroprevalence of 8.6 %) and were distributed in 83 as ymptomatics (without clinical symptoms) and four symptomatics (with one or several symptoms of leishmaniasis) with important variations according to t he locality. Relative frequency of asymptomatic dogs wets observed (8.2 %), and the seroprevalence increased in middle altitude (500 m < altitude < 1, 000 m) and high altitude (greater than or equal to 1,000 m). Parasites isol ated from dogs were identified as L. infantum MON-1 by isoenzyme profile an d Rsal digestion.