Authors : S. Habibzadeh , S. Arshi , H. Sadeghi-Bazargani and M. Mohebali
Abstract: Detection of clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis in dogs is difficult and not practical for screening nomadic dogs. Our aim of study was to check out the sensitivity and specificity of a commercially available immunochromatographic dipstick rk39 test compared to Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) used in canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis among nomad dogs. Three hundred and twenty nomad households were studied. Four hundred and fifty eight dogs from these households were examined and 5 CC blood from cephalic vain was taken. Samples were tested both with DAT and Dipstick rk39. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11 statistical package. The mean for age of dogs was 5.3 years. Considering of positive result as titers (>=1:160), 7.4 % of dogs had positive DAT results. There was no statistical difference between DAT result and sex of the dog. Results of dipstick test showed to be positive in 17 male and two female dogs. When the serum titer of antibodies reached to high rates such as 1:640, the sensitivity and specificity of dipstick test reached up to 80% and in serum titers of 1:320 or 1:160, sensitivity of dipstick test was lower than 50%. Dipstick test as a simple and practical test can be used for canine leishmaniasis among mobile populations like Iranian nomads.
S. Habibzadeh , S. Arshi , H. Sadeghi-Bazargani and M. Mohebali , 2007. Rk39 Dipstick Test as a Practical Solution for Canine Leishmaniasis Diagnosis among Nomadic Populations. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 175-178.