Guidelines for diagnosis and clinical classification of leishmaniasis in dogs

In the past decade, several issues have emerged regarding the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in dogs, including the increased incidence of infection in endemic zones, the northward spread of the infection to nonendemic areas of Europe, and the emergence of the disease in North America.1,2 Despite the increasing spread of the infection and growing concern for canine health, veterinary approaches to the disease remain heterogeneous. Accordingly, an expert panel, the CLWG, was established in November 2005 in collaboration with the Italian Society of Veterinarians of Companion Animals. The aim of the CLWG was to develop a scientificbased consensus approach for the management of leishmaniasis in dogs with regard to diagnosis and clinical classification of disease, treatment, and prevention. The guidelines reported here are an updated version of those originally published in Italian in Veterinaria, the official journal of the Italian Society of Veterinarians of Companion Animals, and are based on a thorough review of international literature and, where data are inadequate or incomplete, are supplemented with the experience of CLWG members. These guidelines are intended to assist veterinary practitioners in the diagnosis and clinical assessment of this complex disease.