Managing the spread of canine leishmaniosis in Europe

Ready, P. D.

doi:10.1136/vr.j86

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…This range expansion coincides with the discovery of Old World sand flies and Leishmania species in previously non-endemic regions of Europe [13,14,15]. An increase in cases of canine leishmaniasis has also been observed in Europe, which is of concern in part because dogs act as reservoirs from which the disease can spread to humans [16]. Furthermore, simulation studies focused on the future distribution of sand flies in regions such as North America [17], Central America [18], Europe [19] and southwestern Asia [20] suggest that an increase in temperature and humidity, due to global warming, can allow flies to survive in previously uninhabitable areas.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America

Merchant

Tian

Shi

et al. 2018

Insects

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Phlebotomus papatasi, an Old World sand fly species, is primarily responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, a highly infectious and potentially lethal disease. International travel, especially military rotations, between domestic locations and P. papatasi-prevalent regions in the Middle East poses an imminent threat to the public health of US citizens. Because of its small size and cryptic morphology, identification of P. papatasi is challenging and labor-intensive. Here, we developed a ribosomal DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting P. papatasi genomic DNA from mixed samples containing multiple sand flies native to the Americas. Serial dilution of P. papatasi samples demonstrated that this diagnostic assay could detect one P. papatasi from up to 255 non-target sand flies. Due to its simplicity, sensitivity and specificity, this rapid identification tool is suited for a long-term surveillance program to screen for the presence of P. papatasi in the continental United States and to reveal geographical regions potentially vulnerable to sand fly-borne diseases.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America

Merchant

Tian

Shi

et al. 2018

Insects

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“…CanL is endemic in the Mediterranean basin and South America, but in recent years, due to climate change, population instability, and globalization, a clear geographical expansion has become evident [ 6 , 25 – 28 ]. Applying effective preventive measures is critical in order to reduce the dissemination of this important zoonosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since dogs are the main natural reservoir host of infection for humans, this species should be the main target of control measures. Improving control of the spread of leishmaniosis in dogs may also result in a reduction in the number of cases in humans [ 2 , 3 , 12 , 25 , 29 ]. Newer areas in parasite control include the use of leishmanicidal or leishmaniostatic drugs in order to reduce parasite load in sick dogs, immunoprophylaxis through vaccination against L. infantum , and immunotherapy aimed at restoring an immune response so that the immune system becomes capable of controlling the infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of disease progression in Leishmania infantum-infected dogs with dietary nucleotides and active hexose correlated compound

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe prevalence of Leishmania infantum infection in clinically healthy dogs can be several times higher than that of clinical disease in endemic areas. Although treatment is not recommended in dogs with subclinical infection, these animals should be managed to prevent disease progression and parasite transmission to human beings or to other dogs. Dietary nucleotides and active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) have been shown to modulate the immune response. A recent study in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis receiving an initial 28-day course of methylglucamine antimoniate showed that six-month administration of a dietary supplement containing nucleotides plus AHCC achieves similar efficacy to allopurinol. Since the type of immune response plays a key role in the evolution of patients with leishmaniosis, the present study was aimed at evaluating the preventive effect of this supplement in avoiding or delaying disease progression in clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs.MethodsForty-six dogs were included in this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Dogs received once-daily oral administration of a placebo or a dietary supplement containing nucleotides plus AHCC. Disease progression was monitored throughout the study in both groups. At 0, 60, 180 and 365 days of treatment, clinical signs were evaluated using a validated clinical scoring system, and several analytes were measured from blood, urine, and bone marrow samples.ResultsDuring the study, a significantly lower (P = 0.047) proportion of dogs changed their clinical status and became sick in the supplement group (3/20; 15%), compared to the placebo group (10/22; 45.5%). ELISA-determined antibody titers were significantly reduced compared to baseline at all time points with the supplement (P < 0.01), but not with the placebo. The mean clinical score of disease severity was significantly lower in the supplement group after 180 days (P = 0.014). No significant differences were observed for the other parameters. The dietary supplement was well tolerated.ConclusionsOral administration of nucleotides plus AHCC for 365 days in clinically healthy L. infantum-infected dogs is safe, allows a significant reduction in anti-Leishmania antibodies, and leads to a lower disease progression rate, hence exerting a preventive effect.

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“…Leishmaniosis is a zoonotic endemic disease widespread in the Mediterranean basin and transmitted to humans and animals by blood-sucking phlebotomine sand flies [3]. Dogs are considered the main reservoir for human infection by the protozoan parasite L. infantum .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological role of dogs since the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid

et al. 2017

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BackgroundCanine leishmaniosis (CanL) has been in the spotlight since the 2009 outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Madrid. In the framework of the Leishmaniosis Surveillance Programme set up in Madrid, this study examines Leishmania-specific seroprevalences in stray dogs for the outbreak area and rest of the Madrid region over the period spanning from the outbreak to the present (2009–2016). These data are of interest because stray dogs could be sentinels for disease surveillance in endemic areas. Since 2011, we have also been monitoring owned dogs in the outbreak area.MethodsOver the study period, Leishmania infantum seroprevalence was determined in 2,123 stray dogs from the outbreak and non-outbreak areas. A serological study was also performed for owned dogs in the outbreak area: high-risk dogs such as hunting or farm dogs (n = 1,722) and pets (n = 1372). All dogs were examined and blood was collected. The variables recorded for each animal were: breed, age, sex, and clinical history indicating if the animal was healthy or clinically suspected of having any disease, and if they showed a clinical picture compatible with CanL.ResultsSeroprevalences of L. infantum in stray dogs were similar in the two areas examined: 4.7% (20 out of 346) in the outbreak area and 5.4% (96 out of 1,777) in the remaining Madrid region (χ 2 = 0.080, P = 0.777). A significant association was found between seroprevalence and age (z = -6.319; P < 0.001). Seroprevalence in owned dogs in the outbreak area was 2.1% in high-risk dogs (37 out of 1,722) and 1.2% in pets (17 out of 1,372) (χ 2 = 3.561, P = 0.0591).ConclusionsBoth stray and owned dogs do not seem to play an important role in maintaining the transmission cycle of L. infantum in the Madrid outbreak area. The stable seroprevalence of infection observed in sentinel dogs suggests the good clinical management and prevention of CanL by local practitioners in owned dogs.

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Managing the spread of canine leishmaniosis in Europe

Cited by 6 publications

References 23 publications

Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America

Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America

Prevention of disease progression in Leishmania infantum-infected dogs with dietary nucleotides and active hexose correlated compound

Epidemiological role of dogs since the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid

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