Serologic evidence of mixed infection involving the zoonoses leishmaniasis and leptospirosis in Greek dogs

Leishmaniasis, an important zoonosis, was serologically found to coexist with leptospirosis, another important zoonosis. The proportion of dogs positive to leishmaniasis was approximately 36%. Significant differences were observed between dogs located in greater Athens and those from rural Greece. Although dogs from either of the groups had a similar chance to be infected, rural dogs had significantly (p<0.01) higher titers (1/1,600) than dogs from greater Athens. Thirty two of the 344 dog serum samples examined had positive antibody titers against Leptospira spp., but only 13 of them had titers of 1/400 or over to both of the infectious agents. Whilst noted differences in the antibody titers of samples with evidence of leishmaniasis and leptospirosis were not observed their coexistence may complicate the clinical outcome of cases of mixed infection.