Demographics and travel history of imported and autochthonous cases of leishmaniosis in dogs in the United States and Canada, 2006 to 2019

BACKGROUND: Leishmania infantum infections are reported in foxhounds throughout the United States (US) and Canada, but only rarely in other dog breeds. A seroprevalence report from 2006 documented leishmaniosis in foxhounds (8.9%) tested in the US between 2000 and 2003. All other breeds were seronegative. OBJECTIVE: To reexamine demographics and travel history of L. infantum‐infected dogs in the US and Canada, we hypothesize detection of L. infantum in more foxhounds than nonfoxhounds and that infected nonfoxhounds will have traveled to endemic regions. ANIMALS: A total of 125 dogs positive for L. infantum by immunofluorescent antibody, PCR, or both. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of L. infantum‐infected dogs between 4 January 2006 and 22 May 2019. Travel history and known lineage to foxhounds was collected from questionnaires. RESULTS: Leishmania infantum was detected in 125 (6.4%) of 1961 dogs tested between 4 January 2006 and 22 May 2019, of which 10 (8%) were foxhounds and 115 (92%) were nonfoxhound breeds. Travel history available for 69 (55%) dogs showed 60 (86.9%) dogs had traveled outside of the US or Canada. Nine (13%) dogs had not traveled outside of the US or Canada, 5 of which were nonfoxhounds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The majority of L. infantum cases were detected in nonfoxhounds, many of which had traveled to L. infantum‐endemic countries, and several nonfoxhound breeds had no travel history. Leishmania surveillance should be considered for dogs that return from L. infantum‐endemic regions to monitor emergence of this zoonotic disease in the US and Canada.