Transmission routes of visceral leishmaniasis in mammals

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic disease caused by Leishmania infantum. The major sites of parasite localization in infected animals

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

“…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). This hypothesis is supported by the retrieval of viable forms of Leishmania spp.…”

“…Nonetheless, alternative transmission routes among dogs have been hypothesized in VL (OLIVEIRA et al, 2015). 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).…”

“…Over the last years, the vectorial role of invertebrates in the transmission of L. infantum among mammals has been studied; however other potential routes of infection have been speculated. In dogs, it has been suggested that this transmission may occur through blood transfusion (OWENS et al, 2001), and through venereal and vertical routes (OLIVEIRA et al, 2015). In fact, vertical transmission in these domestic carnivores was first demonstrated in Italy, where L. infantum parasites were isolated from the liver, spleen and lymph nodes of newborn puppies (MANCIANTI & SOZZI, 1995).…”

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil

“…There are other transmission forms of less epidemiological importance, such as blood transfusion and venereal transmission, apart from vertical transmission, which can be transplacental or transmammary [20][21][22][23]. Direct dog-to-dog transmission through bites or wounds has been suggested as responsible for sporadic CVL transmission as well [24,25].…”

Abortion and fetal death in bitches due anemia caused by vector-borne diseases

“…Since dogs are vaccinated for CPV, RF associated with this disease is unlikely to occur due to mass population immunity (Givens and Marley, 2008). Leishmaniasis is zoonotic and endemic in North-Eastern Brazil (Costa et al, 2014); it is a systemic disease, which can lead to anemia and placentitis (Oliveira et al, 2015). Figure 1.…”