Background Road-killed wild animals have been classified as sentinels for detecting such zoonotic pathogens asLeishmaniaspp., offering new opportunities for epidemiological studies of this infection.Methods This study aimed to evaluate the presence ofLeishmaniaspp. andLeishmania chagasiDNA by PCR in tissue samples (lung, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, mesenteric lymph node and adrenal gland) from 70 road-killed wild animals.Results DNA was detected in tissues of oneCavia aperea(Brazilian guinea pig), fiveCerdocyon thous(crab-eating fox), oneDasypus septemcinctus(seven-banded armadillo), twoDidelphis albiventris(white-eared opossum), oneHydrochoerus hydrochoeris(capybara), twoMyrmecophaga tridactyla(giant anteater), oneProcyon cancrivorus(crab-eating... |