To verify the presence of cross-reaction among leishmaniosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis in serological diagnostics used in human visceral leishmaniasis control programs, serum samples from leishmaniasis endemic and non-endemic areas were collected and tested by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFAT) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All serum samples from endemic areas were positive for Leishmania sp., by ELISA and IFAT, 51% positive for Babesia canis and 43% for Ehrlichia canis by IFAT. None of the serum samples from non-endemic areas were positive for Leishmania sp., by IFAT, but 67% were positive for B. canis and 78% for E. canis using the same test. When tested by ELISA for Leishmania sp., four samples from non-endemic area were positive. These dogs were then located and no clinical signs, parasites or antibody was detected in new tests for a six month period. Only one of these 4 samples was positive for B. canis by IFAT and ELISA and three for E. canis by IFAT. The results of the work suggest a co-infection in the endemic area and no serological cross-reaction among these parasites by IFAT and ELISA.

Diarrhea in piglets directly affects commercial swine production. The disease results from the interaction of pathogens with the host immune system and is also affected by management procedures. Several pathogenic agents such as Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., group A rotavirus (RV-A), coronaviruses (transmissible gastroenteritis virus; porcine epidemic diarrhea virus), as well as nematode and protozoan parasites, can be associated with disease cases. All bacterial, viral, protozoan, and parasitic agents here investigated, with the exception of Salmonella spp. as well as both coronaviruses, were detected in varying proportions in piglet fecal samples, and positive animals were equally distributed between case and control groups. A statistically significant difference between case and control groups was found only for Cystoisospora suis (p = 0.034) and Eimeria spp. (p = 0.047). When co-infections were evaluated, a statistically significant difference was found only for C. perfringens β2 and C. suis (p = 0.014). The presence of pathogens in piglets alone does not determine the occurrence of diarrhea episodes. Thus, the indiscriminate use of antibiotic and anthelminthic medication should be re-evaluated. This study also reinforces the importance of laboratory diagnosis and correct interpretation of results as well as the relevance of control and prophylactic measures.

Leishmaniases are important neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania spp. The female sandflies bite (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) is the main transmission form in the epidemiological chains of these diseases. Thus, studies on Phlebotominae subfamily are fundamental to improve the comprehension of the leishmaniases epidemiology, revealing relationships of these dipterans with the parasite and reservoirs. An entomological survey of Phlebotomine sandflies was carried out to investigate the fauna, Leishmania spp. DNA detection and blood meals sources of female sandflies captured in peridomiciles areas from a leishmaniases endemic area of São Paulo state, Brazil. A total of 637 Phlebotomine sandflies specimens were captured, and twelve species identified, some of them proven or suspected vectors of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Evandromyia (Aldamyia) carmelinoi and Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis PCR positive to Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA) were identified. Also, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis kDNA was found in Evandromyia (Aldamyia) lenti and Lu. (Lu.) longipalpis. Regarding blood meals source, DNA of swine, humans, dogs, cattle, chickens, and opossums were detected in the midgut of Phlebotomine sandflies females captured in the study area. Our results highlight ecological relationships among different species of Phlebotomine sandflies, domestic and wild‐synanthropic vertebrates (including humans) and two Leishmania species in peridomiciles from a leishmaniases endemic area of Brazil.