Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) antibodies in stray dogs in some temporary animal shelters in Thrace region of Turkey.

Materials and Methods: Material of study included a total of 184 dogs in the Thrace region. (Çanakkale/Gelibolu, Edirne/ Uzunköprü, Kırklareli/Center, İstanbul/Silivri and Tekirdağ/ Süleymanpaşa. Detection of antibodies to L. infantum was performed by Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) technique.

Results: Of the 184 dog serum samples examined for anti-L. infantum antibodies, 16 were seropositive (8,7%) and 168 (91,3%) were seronegative. While there was no positivity in Çanakkale/Gelibolu and Kırklareli/Center, 13,9%, 12,1% and 4% of the examined dogs were found seropositive in İstanbul/ Silivri, Edirne/Uzunköprü and Tekirdağ/Süleymanpaşa, respectively. It was found that seropositivity rate was not related to sex and the rate of seropositivity was increased in dogs older than 4 years in this study.

Conclusion: It was concluded that Leishmaniasis is an important zoonotic disease for human and dog health and it would be appropriate to investigate vector Phelebotomus species in the Thrace region.