Potential role for dog fleas in the cycle of Leishmania spp.

Abstract

Several species of Leishmania spp. cause diseases in humans that range from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral leishmaniosis. It has been observed that besides being transmitted by sand flies, Leishmania spp. may also be transmitted by arthropods such as ticks and fleas. To investigate the possible role of dog fleas in the transmission of Leishmania spp., Ctenocefalides felis were removed from 22 dogs which were positive according to ELISA and rK-39 tests. A C. felis sample from each of the 22 dogs was used to infect a hamster. The 22 hamsters were euthanized 4 months after infection with the fleas and the blood was subjected to ELISA to detect antibody anti-Leishmania spp., and the spleen samples were submitted to PCR for detection of Leishmania spp. DNA. PCR and ELISA were both positive in 18.1% (4/22), with PCR alone being positive in 45% (10/22) and ELISA alone in only 9% (2/22). These results suggest the participation of dog fleas in the Leishmania spp. cycle. Confirmation that C. felis indeed transmit leishmaniosis to dogs requires new strategies against leishmaniosis to be enforced by public health authorities and which focus on better ways to keep dogs free of fleas.

Ctenocephalides felis felis vs. Ctenocephalides canis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae): some issues in correctly identify these species

“…According to De Avelar et al (2007, 2008, these endosymbionts might be useful for biological control of C. felis felis in environments exhibiting high levels of infestation. Also using molecular techniques, Coutinho and Linardi (2007) and Ferreira et al (2009a) recognized DNA of Leishmania chagasi in C. felis felis, thus opening new perspectives for mechanical transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis.…”

Evaluation of TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10 and parasite density in spleen and liver ofL. (L.) chagasinaturally infected dogs

“…The parasite is transmitted from one infected dog to another through the phlebotomine bites and possibly through other arthropod vectors, such as fleas and ticks (Coutinho et al, 2005;Ferreira et al, 2009;Dantas-Torres et al, 2010) and through blood transfusions (Owens et al, 2001). After the phlebotomine feed on the dog's blood, the parasites rapidly spread into the lymph nodes and spleen through the lymph and blood and eventually reach the kidneys and liver.…”

Molecular evidence of early vertical transmission of Leishmania ( Leishmania ) infantum in a dog

“…For instance, involvement of ticks in the transmission of Leishmania infantum, especially Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, was first demonstrated in France in the 1930s, through observation of the ability of these ticks to mechanically transmit the protozoon to rodents (BLANC & CAMINOPETROS, 1930). Similarly, the potential role of fleas has already been assessed (FERREIRA et al, 2009), but the real role of these ectoparasites in the epidemiology of L. infantum remains a matter of controversy. Oliveira et al In addition, over the past few years, venereal and vertical transmissions of this protozoon have been demonstrated as possible infection routes, especially in areas where the biological vectors are absent (OLIVEIRA et al, 2015).…”