Demographics and travel history of imported and autochthonous cases of leishmaniosis in dogs in the United States and Canada, 2006 to 2019

Abstract

Background: Leishmania infantum infections are reported in foxhounds throughout the United States (US) and Canada, but only rarely in other dog breeds. A seroprevalence report from 2006 documented leishmaniosis in foxhounds (8.9%) tested in the US between 2000 and 2003. All other breeds were seronegative. Objective: To reexamine demographics and travel history of L. infantum-infected dogs in the US and Canada, we hypothesize detection of L. infantum in more foxhounds than nonfoxhounds and that infected nonfoxhounds will have traveled to endemic regions.

Canine leishmaniasis in the Americas: etiology, distribution, and clinical and zoonotic importance

“…reported in dogs in the Americas, with their proven or suspected animal reservoirs and sand fly vectors Leishmania spp. Proven or suspected wild reservoirs a Proven or suspected vectors b Geographical distribution (in dogs) L. amazonensis Several species of small rodents, opossums, and other wildlife Bichromomyia flaviscutellata , Bichromomyia olmeca olmeca , and Pintomyia nuneztovari Brazil [ 43 , 44 ] and Colombia [ 15 , 92 ] L. braziliensis Several species of small rodents, opossums, and other wildlife Nyssomyia intermedia , Nyssomyia neivai , Nyssomyia whitmani , Migonemyia migonei , Psychodopygus complexus , Psychodopygus davisi , and Psychodopygus wellcomei Argentina [ 93 ], Bolivia [ 94 ], Brazil [ 95 ], Colombia [ 15 , 45 ], Mexico [ 96 ], Panama [ 13 ], Paraguay [ 97 ] c , Peru [ 65 ], and Venezuela [ 98 ] L. guyanensis Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth ( Choloepus didactylus ), southern tamandua ( Tamandua tetradactyla ), and other wildlife Nyssomyia anduzei and Nyssomyia umbratilis Brazil [ 17 ], Colombia [ 14 ] and Venezuela [ 99 ] L. infantum Several species of carnivores (mainly canids), rodents, opossums, monkeys, and other wildlife Lutzomyia cruzi , Lutzomyia longipalpis , Migonemyia migonei , Pintomyia evansi , and Psathyromyia shannoni Argentina [ 100 ], Bolivia [ 94 ], Brazil [ 101 ], Canada [ …”

A global perspective on non-autochthonous canine and feline Leishmania infection and leishmaniosis in the 21st century

“…A total of 28 articles were selected, according to selection criteria, representing a total of 1403 cases of non-autochthonous leishmaniosis or subclinical infection in dogs (Best et al, 2014;Cleare et al, 2014;Dandrieux et al, 2018;Farkas et al, 2011;Gin et al, 2021;Hamel et al, 2012Hamel et al, , 2011Helm et al, 2013;Iqbal et al, 2002;Kawamura et al, 2010;Kotnik et al, 2021;Latif et al, 2019;Leschnik et al, 2008;Menn et R. Rocha et al Naucke et al, 2016;Pavel et al, 2017;Rotureau et al, 2006;Schäfer et al, 2019aSchäfer et al, , 2019bShaw et al, 2008;Schönian et al, 2003;Silvestrini et al, 2016;Tanase et al, 2018;Teske et al, 2002;Vilhena et al, 2014;Wagner et al, 2020;Willi et al, 2015). For 689 individuals, the likely place of infection was described, comprising 22 different countries or territories, represented in Fig.…”

“…Positivity rates exceeded 90% with all the serological techniques, with the lowest reported with ELISA (93.8%). Species identification was performed in 71 cases and parasites belonging to the L. donovani complex were identified as the causative species in all (Best et al, 2014;Cleare et al, 2014;Dandrieux et al, 2018;Gin et al, 2021; Kawamura et al, 2010;Pavel et al, 2017;Schönian et al, 2003;Vilhena et al, 2014;Wagner et al, 2020;Willi et al, 2015). Management strategy was described for 187 sick animals (Table 2).…”

Possibility of Leishmania Transmission via Lutzomyia spp. Sand Flies Within the USA and Implications for Human and Canine Autochthonous Infection

“…This Boxer was euthanized approximately three years after its CanL diagnosis [ 53 ]. Additionally, Gin et al (2021) found 125 L. infantum -positive dogs in the U.S. and Canada between 2006 and 2019 with at least 60 of these dogs having documented foreign travel to endemic areas [ 54 ]. Military working dogs are also at-risk for L. infantum infection; for example, 54/378 dogs evaluated by Seal et al (2022) were Leishmania -positive, with 44/54 of these dogs having reported travel to or inhabitance in endemic areas [ 55 ].…”

“…Some autochthonous CanL cases were infected via direct contact from dog bites or fights with an infected dog; the infected dog had evidence of previous importation from endemic areas [ 56 ]. Some studies report L. infantum -positive dogs with no recorded foreign travel history and unconfirmed mode of transmission [ 54 , 55 ].…”