BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is relevant for human and animal public health. Several factors have been associated with the risk of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs. However, dog owner characteristics have been rarely explored. OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated factors for VL infection including dog owners characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted including dogs from an endemic canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) region in the Federal District, Brazil. The infection was detected using parasitological, serological, and molecular methods. The associated factors were identified through Poisson regression modelling. FINDINGS The prevalence of infection was 26.25% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.05 to 33.57]. The associated factors were: short coat prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.33 (95% CI: 1.02 to 5.22); presence of backyard with predominance of soil and/or vegetation PR = 4.15 (95% CI: 1.35 to 12.77); and highest gross family income score PR = 2.03 (95% CI: 1.16 to 3.54). MAIN CONCLUSION This is the first study that relates higher socioeconomic status of dog owners as an independent factor associated with higher prevalence of VL infection, along with other strongly associated factors related to receptive environment for phlebotomines. Our findings strengthen the need for exploration of the biological and behavioural bases linking dog owner characteristics to the risk of canine infection in prospective cohort studies.

中文翻译：

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一种横断面方法，包括狗主人特征作为狗内脏利什曼病感染的预测因子。

背景技术内脏利什曼病(VL)与人类和动物的公共卫生有关。有几个因素与狗感染婴儿利什曼原虫的风险有关。然而，很少有人探索狗主​​人的特征。目的 估计患病率并确定 VL 感染的相关因素，包括狗主人的特征。方法 进行了一项横断面研究，包括来自巴西联邦区地方性犬内脏利什曼病 (CVL) 地区的狗。使用寄生虫学、血清学和分子学方法检测感染。通过泊松回归模型确定相关因素。结果 感染的患病率为 26.25% [95% 置信区间 (CI)：20.05 至 33.57]。相关因素是：短外套流行率（PR）= 2。33（95% CI：1.02 至 5.22）；存在以土壤和/或植被为主的后院 PR = 4.15（95% CI：1.35 至 12.77）；最高家庭总收入得分 PR = 2.03 (95% CI: 1.16 to 3.54)。主要结 我们的研究结果加强了在前瞻性队列研究中探索将狗主人特征与犬感染风险联系起来的生物学和行为基础的必要性。主要结 我们的研究结果加强了在前瞻性队列研究中探索将狗主人特征与犬感染风险联系起来的生物学和行为基础的必要性。主要结 我们的研究结果加强了在前瞻性队列研究中探索将狗主人特征与犬感染风险联系起来的生物学和行为基础的必要性。