Leishmaniasis in Norway Rats in Sewers, Barcelona, Spain

Galán‐Puchades, María Teresa; Samblas, Mercedes Gómez; Suárez-Morán, Jose M.; Osuna, Antonio Frías; Sanxis-Furió, Joan; Pascual, Jordi; Bueno-Marí, Rubén; Franco, Sandra; Peracho, Víctor; Montalvo, Tomás; Fuentes, Màrius V.

doi:10.3201/eid2506.181027

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition to the found ZIP in the 100 examined rats, previous studies revealed that these same rats were infected by six additional zoonotic parasites, specifically, the protozoan Leishmania infantum (33.3% in sewers), the intestinal tapeworms Hymenolepis diminuta (33%) and H. nana (17%), the hepatic nematode Capillaria hepatica (17%), the oesophagic nematode Gongylonema neoplasticum (20%), and the intestinal acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis (6%) [ 11 , 39 ]. Considering all the zoonotic parasites, protozoans and helminths, 95% of the rats were infected with at least one zoonotic species, i.e., almost 249,000 Norway rats carry some zoonotic parasite in the sewers of the studied city.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

One Health Approach to Zoonotic Parasites: Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoans in an Urban Population of Norway Rats, Rattus norvegicus, in Barcelona, Spain

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rattus norvegicus, the brown or Norway rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they live in close proximity to people. Among rodent-borne diseases, the reservoir role of Norway rats of zoonotic parasites in cities has practically been ignored. Considering the parasitic diseases in the One Health approach, we intended to identify and quantify the zoonotic intestinal protozoans (ZIP) in an urban population of R. norvegicus in the city of Barcelona, Spain. We studied the presence of ZIP in 100 rats trapped in parks (n = 15) as well as in the city’s sewage system (n = 85) in the winter of 2016/17. The protozoans were molecularly identified by means of a multiplex PCR (AllplexTM Gastrointestinal Panel-Parasite Assay). We also investigated the presence of co-infections among the species found. Four ZIP were identified, presenting significant prevalences in sewers, specifically Blastocystis (83.5%), Giardia duodenalis (37.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (34.1%), and Dientamoeba fragilis (14.1%). Several co-infections among the detected ZIP were also detected. The reservoir role of ZIP that Norway rats play in cities as well as the role rats may play as sentinels of zoonotic parasites affecting humans in urban areas are strongly backed up by our findings. The increasing worldwide urbanization, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic are factors that are producing an increase in human–rat interactions. Our results should be considered a warning to the authorities to intensify rat control and surveillance in public health interventions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

One Health Approach to Zoonotic Parasites: Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoans in an Urban Population of Norway Rats, Rattus norvegicus, in Barcelona, Spain

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In Spain, and in addition to domestic dogs, leporids such as rabbits and hares have been demonstrated as competent reservoirs of the infection [ 67 ]. Micromammals (e.g., mice, shrews) seem to play a limited role in the epidemiology of the parasite [ 68 ], although an unanticipated high prevalence rate (33%) of the parasite has been recently described in rats captured in sewers in the city of Barcelona [ 69 ]. To confirm the accuracy and extent of these previous findings, we investigated by PCR the occurrence of Leishmania spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Protist Parasites in Captive Non-Human Primates, Zookeepers, and Free-Living Sympatric Rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, Southern Spain

Köster¹,

Dashti²,

Bailo³

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Little information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP (n = 51), zookeepers (n = 19) and free-living rats (n = 64) by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods between 2018 and 2019. The presence of Leishmania spp. was also investigated in tissues from sympatric rats using PCR. Blastocystis sp. (45.1%), Entamoeba dispar (27.5%), Giardia duodenalis (21.6%), Balantioides coli (3.9%), and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (2.0%) (but not Troglodytella spp.) were detected in NHP. Giardia duodenalis (10.5%) and Blastocystis sp. (10.5%) were identified in zookeepers, while Cryptosporidium spp. (45.3%), G. duodenalis (14.1%), and Blastocystis sp. (6.25%) (but not Leishmania spp.) were detected in rats. Blastocystis ST1, ST3, and ST8 and G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII were identified in NHP, and Blastocystis ST1 in zookeepers. Giardia duodenalis isolates failed to be genotyped in human samples. In rats, four Cryptosporidium (C. muris, C. ratti, and rat genotypes IV and V), one G. duodenalis (assemblage G), and three Blastocystis (ST4) genetic variants were detected. Our results indicate high exposure of NHP to zoonotic protist species. Zoonotic transmission of Blastocysts ST1 was highly suspected between captive NHP and zookeepers.

show abstract

“…The presence of the two main vectors, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi , are known due to the monitoring of the city of Barcelona by the ASPB, the institution responsible for the vector surveillance and control in the city ( 42 ). Furthermore, recent research indicates that Norway rat, a synanthropic murid that shows high abundance and deeply distribution in the sewer system of the city ( 6 ), could play a relevant role as host reservoir of Leishmaniasis ( 43 ). At this point, it is important to emphasize the sewers have been also recorded as suitable breeding site for sandflies in Barcelona (unpublished data).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In urban, periurban and domestic environments, dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are usually considered main reservoirs of the parasite, although synanthropic rodents (e.g., Rattus norvegicus), wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), hares (Lepus granatensis), and cats (Felis catus domesticus) can also play a relevant role as reservoir host (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in the Epidemiology of Leishmaniasis in the City of Barcelona (1996–2019)

Palma

Mercuriali²,

Figuerola

et al. 2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Leishmaniasis is a neglected zoonosis produced by 20 different flagellated parasites of the Leishmania genus, a protozoan transmitted to humans and other vertebrates by the bite of dipteran insects of the Phlebotominae subfamily. It is endemic in Mediterranean countries and the number of cases is expected to increase due to climate change and migration. Prioritizing public health interventions for prevention and control is essential. The objective was to characterize the epidemiology and temporal trends in the incidence of human leishmaniasis in the city of Barcelona, between the years 1996 and 2019.Methods: A population-based, analytical observational study among residents in the city of Barcelona was conducted of all the cases of leishmaniasis reported between 1996 and 2019 to the Public Health Agency. The epidemiological survey contains clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological data, including contact with suspicious mammals or insects. Annual incidence-rates were calculated by sex, age, and country of origin. Chi-square tests were used to assess association between studied risk factors, periods of time and type of leishmaniasis.Results: During the study period a total of 177 cases of leishmaniasis were reported in Barcelona, being 74.6% (n = 132) of the total cases in Spanish born, although within the foreign-born population the incidence was higher. Median age was 34 years (IQR = 10–48) and 121 (66.8%) were male. The main type was cutaneous (46%) followed by visceral (35.1%). The cumulative incidence was 0.47 per 100,000 inhabitants, with the highest incidence found in 2017 (1.60 per 100,000 inhabitants). A higher incidence was observed in the 0–4-year-old group (1.73 per 100,000 inhabitants), but increased during the study period for all age groups. There was an increase of foreign origin cases, and a decrease in the number of cases associated to any immunosuppression.Conclusion: In Barcelona, leishmaniasis incidence continues to be higher in people under 5 years of age, and 25–64 years old males, but it has also increased in population from foreign country of birth. There is an increase of the cases since 2016, probably due to the changes in the notification system, increasing the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Improvements in the current surveillance system are needed. Notification of the disease, vector, and reservoir control activities are also essential for the control of the disease.

show abstract

Leishmaniasis in Norway Rats in Sewers, Barcelona, Spain

Cited by 19 publications

References 8 publications

One Health Approach to Zoonotic Parasites: Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoans in an Urban Population of Norway Rats, Rattus norvegicus, in Barcelona, Spain

One Health Approach to Zoonotic Parasites: Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoans in an Urban Population of Norway Rats, Rattus norvegicus, in Barcelona, Spain

Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Protist Parasites in Captive Non-Human Primates, Zookeepers, and Free-Living Sympatric Rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, Southern Spain

Trends in the Epidemiology of Leishmaniasis in the City of Barcelona (1996–2019)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About