Table 1 General characteristics of the stray dogs found in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis that were used in this study

Total number of animals

64

(100)

With emaciation

26/60

(43)

With positive spleen culture

32/64

(50)

With positive serology (ELISA)

27/61

(44)

With positive leishmanin skin test (L. chagasi antigen)

29/47

(51)

 With normal white pulp (type I)

32/64

(50)

 With white pulp disorganization:

32/64

(50)

  Slight disorganization (type II)

19/64

(30)

  Intense disorganization (type III)

13/64

(20)

 With normal histology

16/64

(25)

 With dermatitis:

48/64

(75)

  Focal dermatitis

36/64

(56)

  Diffuse dermatitis

12/64

(19)

 With Leishmania amastigotes

8/64

(13)