An Investigation into Alternative Reservoirs of Canine Leishmaniasis on the Endemic Island of Mallorca (Spain)

Millán, Javier; Zanet, Stefania; Gomis, Margalida; Trisciuoglio, Andrea; Negre, Nieves; Ferroglio, Ezio

doi:10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01212.x

Cited by 73 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…This percentage is higher than those described using different techniques for other potential L. infantum reservoirs such as fox (14.1%) and wolf (20.5%) in peninsular Spain [20], and genet (10%), feral cat (26%), and pine marten (39%) in endemic areas of Mallorca Island [19]. However, differences may be also attributed at least in part to the use of different diagnostic techniques (IFAT, direct PCR on spleen and skin samples and culture applied in parallel compared with direct PCR on spleen or blood samples and Western blotting-based serology).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 69%

Evidence ofLeishmania infantumInfection in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a Natural Area in Madrid, Spain

Garcı́a¹,

Moreno

Álvarez

et al. 2014

BioMed Research International

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Leishmaniasis is one of the most important neglected zoonosis and remains endemic in at least 88 developing countries in the world. In addition, anthropogenic environmental changes in urban areas are leading to its emergency world wide. Zoonotic leishmaniasis control might only be achieved by an integrated approach targeting both the human host and the animal reservoirs, which in certain sylvatic cycles are yet to be identified. Recently, hares have been pointed out as competent reservoirs of Leishmania infantum in Spain, but the role of other lagomorphs has not been clarified. Here, 69 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from a natural area in Madrid in which a high density was present were analyzed using indirect (immunofluorescence antibody test, IFAT) and direct (PCR, culture) techniques. Fifty-seven (82.6%) of the animals were positive to at least one technique, with IFAT yielding the highest proportion of positive samples. L. infantum was isolated in 13% animals demonstrating the occurrence of infection in this setting. Our results suggest that rabbits could play a role of competent reservoir of L. infantum and demonstrate that the prevalence of infection is high in the analyzed area.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 69%

Evidence ofLeishmania infantumInfection in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a Natural Area in Madrid, Spain

Garcı́a¹,

Moreno

Álvarez

et al. 2014

BioMed Research International

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“…Peripheral blood has been the most commonly used specimen in PCR-based feline surveys and positive results ranged from 0.3% to 60.7%, among cats living in regions endemic for canine and/or human leishmaniosis (Martín-Sánchez et al, 2007;Tabar et al, 2008;Maia et al, 2008;Ayllon et al, 2008;Maia et al, 2010;Sherry et al, 2011;Millán et al, 2011;Ayllón et al, 2012;Vilhena et al, 2013). More recently in Greece PCR positivity in different tissues from cats ranged from 3.1% (conjunctival swab) to 16% (bone marrow), 18.2% (skin biopsy) and 13% (blood) in clinically normal cats and in cats with various clinical signs living in the region of Thessaly (central Greece) and Thessaloniki (north Greece), thus indicating the need for multiple tissue PCR testing in order to avoid underestimating of the true prevalence of the infection (Chatzis et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular investigation and geographical distribution of Leishmania spp infection in stray and owned cats (Felis catus) in Thessaly, central Greece

Giannakopoulos

Tsokana

Papadopoulos

et al. 2018

J Hellenic Vet Med Soc

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In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of Leishmania spp infection and to report the geographical distribution of Leishmania spp infected cats from Thessaly, central Greece, an endemic region for canine and human leishmaniosis. Blood samples were collected from a total of 150 cats (34 stray and 116 owned) from the area of Thessaly, i.e. Larissa (n=6), Volos (n=94), Trikala (n=30) and Karditsa (n=20). Data on signalment and living conditions were registered for each cat. The samples were tested by Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 nested PCR (ITS1 nested PCR). Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to define the geographical distribution of the Leishmania spp infected cats in relation to the land uses and the altitude. In total, 13.3% (95% CI: 8.3-19.8) of the sampled cats were found positive for Leishmania spp DNA. More precisely, the results are 12.8% (95% CI 6.8-21.2) in Volos, 20% (95% CI 6.8-21.2) in Trikala and 10% (95% CI 12-31.7) in Karditsa while none of the six cats examined from the region of Larissa was found PCR positive. The Leishmania spp infected cats were found in artificial surfaces and associated areas and in cultivated and managed areas with a mean altitude of 81,7 m above sea level (range 14 - 225 ± 51.57 SD). No significant correlation was found between Leishmania spp infection and signalment or living conditions, thus suggest ing that the infection is uniformly distributed among the screened feline population. The findings of this study along with the occurrence of competent vectors of Leishmania infantum in Thessaly, support the hypothesis that cats may serve as a reservoir for Leishmania spp in this region and highlight the need for surveillance in feline population and implementation of control measures. However, the epidemiological role of cats in the maintenance and transmission of Leishmania spp has yet to be defined and deserves further investigation.

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“…In southern Europe, where leishmaniosis is enzootic, wild carnivores, rodents, and lagomorphs have been proposed as possible reservoirs (see revision in Mill an et al 2014). Carnivores of different species and families have been found to be infected by L. infantum in Portugal (Abranches et al 1983), southern France (Davoust et al 2014), Italy (Verin et al 2010), and several regions in Spain (Sobrino et al 2008;Mill an et al 2011;del R ıo et al 2014). However, Leishmania infection does not necessarily imply clinical illness (Solano-Gallego et al 2001) and, thus far, clinical signs associated with leishmaniosis have only been reported in a single wolf (Beck et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One carnivore species that is commonly infected by L. infantum is the common genet (Genetta genetta) (Sobrino et al 2008;Mill an et al 2011;del R ıo et al 2014). The genet is a member of the Viverridae family widely distributed in Africa and likely introduced to southern Europe by the Muslims in historical times (Gaubert et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serum chemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta): variations associated withLeishmania infantuminfection

Millán

Chirife²,

Altet³

2014

Veterinary Quarterly

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Background: The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis in under debate, and determining whether infection with Leishmania infantum causes illness in wild carnivores is important to determine its potential role as a reservoir. Objectives: To provide for the first time serum biochemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta), and to determine variations associated with L. infantum infection. Methods: Twenty-five serum biochemistry parameters were determined in 22 wild-caught genets. Blood samples were analyzed for L. infantum DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Two female genets were positive for L. infantum DNA but did not show any external clinical sign upon physical examination. Among other variations in the biochemistry values of these genets, one presented a higher concentration of gamma-globulins and cholesterol, whereas the other genet presented increased creatinine, bilirubin, and chloride levels when compared to uninfected females. Sex-related differences in some parameters were also reported. Conclusion: Infection with L. infantum may sometimes be accompanied by abnormal serum biochemistry in wild carnivores. Clinical importance: Clinical disease may occur in L. infantum-infected wild carnivores. This has implications in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis. In addition, the data provided here would also be useful as reference values for researchers or rehabilitators working with the common genet.

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An Investigation into Alternative Reservoirs of Canine Leishmaniasis on the Endemic Island of Mallorca (Spain)

Cited by 73 publications

References 21 publications

Evidence ofLeishmania infantumInfection in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a Natural Area in Madrid, Spain

Evidence ofLeishmania infantumInfection in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in a Natural Area in Madrid, Spain

Molecular investigation and geographical distribution of Leishmania spp infection in stray and owned cats (Felis catus) in Thessaly, central Greece

Serum chemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta): variations associated withLeishmania infantuminfection

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