SEROPREVALENCE OF SOME INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN STRAY DOGS IN THE WIDER TERRITORY OF LESKOVAC CITY

Abstract

Since the last decade, stray dogs have been signifi cant ecological, economical and sociological problem in the world as well as in the Republic of Serbia. They occupy specifi c place in the ecology of big cities and their contact with human population represents danger since they are carriers of many zoonotic infectious diseases. The goal of this paper is to present epizootiological survey on some diseases of bacterial, viral and parasitic origin through serological investigation of blood sera and full blood. The prevalence of leptospirosis, Tularaemia, West Nile fever and dirofi lariosis has been determined in this research. The material included full blood and blood sera of stray dogs in the wider territory of Leskovac city. The research methods encompassed standard serological tests: microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for determination of specific antibodies against Leptospira spp.; slow and fast agglutination test for determination of antibodies against Tularaemia causative agent (Francisella tularensis); agar gel immunodiff usion (AGID) for detection of specific antibodies against West Nile virus–WNV; modifi ed Knot’s test for the detection of microfilaria. The results revealed seropositivity for causative agents of Leptospirosis, Tularaemia and dirofi lariosis, while there were no positive findings for WNV.