MAIN SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FMVZ-UADY IN THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LEPTOSPIROSIS, TOXOPLASMOSIS, AMERICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS, AND DIROPHILARIASIS IN DOMESTIC AND SYNANTHROPIC ANIMALS

Abstract

Background. In tropical and subtropical regions there are ideal conditions for the maintenance and proliferation of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, American trypanosomiasis, and heartworm disease, which affect the welfare and health of domestic and synanthropic animals and can cause zoonoses. Objective. To identify the main epidemiological findings of potentially zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, American trypanosomiasis, and heartworm disease in domestic animals, synanthropics, and humans in the Yucatan Peninsula. Methodology. The compilation of scientific articles from the studies carried out by the academic body of Animal Health in the first 50 years of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the Autonomous University of Yucatan was carried out. The review focused on four infectious agents with zoonotic potential (Leptospira spp, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Dirofilaria immitis) that affect animals in the Yucatan peninsula. Results. The studies have shown a wide distribution of animals affected by these agents and described various aspects of epidemiology in animals and humans. Implications. Epidemiological monitoring of these agents and the study of their impact on health is essential for decision-making when it comes to implementing official control and prevention measures in both animals and humans. Conclusions. The infectious agents described (bacteria, protozoa and nematode) have a wide distribution in various species of domestic and synanthropic animals of the Yucatan peninsula, and have an impact on the human population in this region of Mexico. The epidemiological conditions described in this region should serve to prevent and control these diseases.