Serological and molecular investigation of selected parasitic pathogens in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Greece: inferring the ecological niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in hares

Abstract

The occurrence of infection or exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Leishmania infantum was investigated in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, EBH) hunter-harvested over two consecutive hunting seasons in northern and central Greece. Geographical information system was used along with the ecological niche model to define the geographical distribution of seropositive hares relative to environmental parameters and to identify high-risk areas for hare exposure. Molecular analysis showed that 3.8% and 9.6% of the examined hares were infected with N. caninum and L. infantum, respectively, while, 5.7%, 0.95%, and 12.4% of the hares tested positive for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum, and L. infantum respectively. None of the examined hares was polymerase chain reaction-positive for T. gondii. Mixed exposure against both T. gondii and L. infantum was found in 2.9% of the hares examined. Rainfall indices and land uses significantly influenced the exposure of hares to T. gondii and L. infantum. This is the first molecular and serological survey of protozoan pathogens in EBH in Greece. Furthermore, we report the environmental parameters related to hare seropositivity and present a risk map for hare exposure to T. gondii and L. infantum in northern and central Greece. The ecological niches of T. gondii and L. infantum in the hares presented herein could be applied to other regions with similar environmental and climatic conditions.

Is the Prevalence of Leishmania infantum Linked to Breeds in Dogs? Characterization of Seropositive Dogs in Ibiza

“…Akohundi et al, (2016) identified 53 different species of the Leishmania genera and more than 800 vectors capable of transmitting the infection stadium of the parasite (promastigote) to the host [ 6 ]. Although domestic dogs are the definitive hosts, different studies have documented L. infantum in other mammalian species, including horses, cats, pigs, wild rodents, hares, wild canids, and humans [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The host immunity response determines the infection severity of L. infantum , which can be mild, moderate, severe, or very severe [ 15 ].…”

Leishmaniosis in Greece: The Veterinary Perspective

“…Regarding lagomorphs, the L. infantum DNA prevalence in European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ) originating from Northern Greece was reported to be 23.49% during 2007–2011, and the subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed that all sequences belonged to the L. donovani complex [ 73 ]. Likewise, a later study in hares sampled in Northern Greece showed a L. infantum DNA prevalence of 20%, while a lower percentage of PCR-positive animals (7.4%) was recorded in Central Greece [ 74 ]. A total seroprevalence of 12.4% was reported in the same hare population [ 74 ].…”

“…Likewise, a later study in hares sampled in Northern Greece showed a L. infantum DNA prevalence of 20%, while a lower percentage of PCR-positive animals (7.4%) was recorded in Central Greece [ 74 ]. A total seroprevalence of 12.4% was reported in the same hare population [ 74 ]. Both studies identified precipitation seasonality as a critical influential environmental parameter associated with L. infantum infection in hares, probably due to its effects on the sandfly vector activity, survival, and oviposition sites [ 73 , 74 ].…”

“…A total seroprevalence of 12.4% was reported in the same hare population [ 74 ]. Both studies identified precipitation seasonality as a critical influential environmental parameter associated with L. infantum infection in hares, probably due to its effects on the sandfly vector activity, survival, and oviposition sites [ 73 , 74 ]. Another serological survey of samples originating from areas of Northern Greece revealed infection in 7.6% of rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), 6.7% of hares, and 20% of minks ( Mustela vison ) [ 75 ].…”

Seroprevalence of <i>Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Francisella tularensis</i> and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Zoonotic Diseases in European Hares (Lepus europaesus)

“…In several European countries, the prevalence of T. gondii was tested with different serological methods such as MAT, IFAT, ELISA, DAT and SFDT (45)(46)(47)(48). The results in the Brown hare (Lepus Europaeus) were reported in different rates such as, 5.7% in Greece (45), 6% in Slovakia (46), 9% in France (47), 13% in Austria, 21% in the Czech Republic (46) and 46% in Germany (36), while no seropositivity was detected in Sweden (48). In the present study, when compared with the results of other countries, the low seropositivity rate of T. gondii (4.8%) was found similar to the prevalence rates which were found in Greece and Slovakia.…”