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Garcia VS, Guerrero SA, Burna A, Demonte A, Gugliotta LM, Gonzalez VDG. Validation of an immunochromatographic assay kit based on colored latex particles for the identification of the canine visceral leishmaniasis. Res Vet Sci 2023; 155:69-75. [PMID: 36641975 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic infectious disease with a severe impact on humans and animals. Infection is transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. The dogs are main reservoir for human infection. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis is essential for an efficient surveillance program. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a rapid immunochromatographic strip test based on functionalized colored particles and a new recombinant antigenic protein, as a visual "in situ" method for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis. The results were evaluated using an in-house ELISA assay with the same antigen. Both tests produced concordant results and the immunochromatographic strip test showed good diagnostic sensitivity (98%) and specificity (95%). Finally, meta-analysis was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the here developed test with the results of commercial immunochromatographic strip tests obtained from literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria S Garcia
- INTEC (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- IAL (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Alexis Burna
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE), Corrientes 3400, Argentina
| | - Ana Demonte
- IAL (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Luis M Gugliotta
- INTEC (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
| | - Verónica D G Gonzalez
- INTEC (CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Litoral), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina.
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Clinical Case of Feline Leishmaniosis: Therapeutic Approach and Long-Term Follow-Up. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080400. [PMID: 36006315 PMCID: PMC9416418 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the present report, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutical findings observed in a case of feline leishmaniosis (FeL) along with its long-term follow-up data are reported with the aim to provide more evidence-based data on the treatment of this important zoonotic vector-borne disease of cats. The present study represents one of the few reports of FeL with a 28-month follow-up period. This case underlines the effectiveness of allopurinol and highlights how the interruption of treatment frequently leads to relapse, impairing the animal’s health condition and prognosis. Abstract The response to allopurinol treatment and survival time of a case of feline leishmaniosis in a FIV co-infected cat is herein reported. In May 2019, a 13-year-old neutered European Shorthair male was referred due to weight loss and exfoliative dermatitis. Lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly were detected upon clinical inspection, while the presence of several Leishmania infantum amastigotes were detected on splenic and lymphonodal fine needle aspiration (FNA). Allopurinol (10 mg/kg PO q 12 h) was administered. After two months, the cat’s clinical symptoms disappeared, and the owners decided to interrupt the therapy. In February, two reddish nodular fleshy neoformations appeared in both eyes, and amastigotes of Leishmania were detected by cytology on conjunctival swabs. Allopurinol treatment was re-started at the same rate; the ocular lesions regressed in two weeks, and the owner again decided to interrupt the therapy. In July, the patient had a new relapse, but the owner, tired of continuous relapses, refused further treatment of the disease. The cat’s health condition continued to worsen: in October 2021, the ocular lesions appeared again, and in November the patient died. This case underlines the effectiveness of allopurinol and highlights how interruption of treatment frequently leads to relapse, impairing the animal’s health condition and prognosis.
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Morales-Yuste M, Martín-Sánchez J, Corpas-Lopez V. Canine Leishmaniasis: Update on Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080387. [PMID: 36006301 PMCID: PMC9416075 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dog are the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum, causing canine leishmaniasis, an incurable multisystemic disease that leads to death in symptomatic dogs, when not treated. This parasite causes visceral, cutaneous, and mucosal leishmaniasis in people in the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, South America, and West Asia. This disease is mostly unknown by veterinarians outside the endemic areas, but the disease is expanding in the Northern Hemisphere due to travel and climate change. New methodologies to study the epidemiology of the disease have found new hosts of leishmaniasis and drawn a completely new picture of the parasite biological cycle. Canine leishmaniasis diagnosis has evolved over the years through the analysis of new samples using novel molecular techniques. Given the neglected nature of leishmaniasis, progress in drug discovery is slow, and the few drugs that reach clinical stages in humans are unlikely to be commercialised for dogs, but several approaches have been developed to support chemotherapy. New-generation vaccines developed during the last decade are now widely used, along with novel prevention strategies. The implications of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of canine leishmaniasis are fundamental to public health.
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Tasić-Otašević S, Savić S, Jurhar-Pavlova M, Stefanovska J, Stalević M, Ignjatović A, Ranđelović M, Gajić B, Cvetkovikj A, Gabrielli S. Molecular Survey of Dirofilaria and Leishmania Species in Dogs from Central Balkan. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070911. [PMID: 35405899 PMCID: PMC8997140 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dirofilariosis and leishmaniosis are severe parasitic diseases in dogs, and their causative agents can also be pathogenic to humans. In this study, we conducted a multicentric survey in the regions of Serbia and North Macedonia with the goal to establish an epidemiological scenario of dirofilariosis and leishmaniosis in the territory of Central Balkan. Using molecular analyses, a total of 535 dogs from Northern Serbia (NS), Southern Serbia (SS) and North Macedonia (NM) were screened for the presence of Dirofilaria spp. and Leishmania spp. We confirmed that Central Balkan is an endemic region for Dirofilaria (D.) immitis, as it was found to be the dominant species in this area, with the highest prevalence of 8.75% in NM, followed by NS (6.68%) and a significantly lower prevalence in SS (1.51%). Two dogs (2.5%) from NM were positive for Leishmania (L.) infantum infection. None of the dogs from Serbia tested positive for Leishmania spp. High prevalence and dominance of D. immitis species, and the rising threat of L. infantum spread to the territory of Serbia, suggest that preventive measures are of a great necessity to combat the spread of these vector-borne zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Tasić-Otašević
- Medical Faculty, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia; (S.T.-O.); (M.S.); (A.I.); (M.R.)
- Public Health Institute Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad, 21113 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Maja Jurhar-Pavlova
- Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia;
| | - Jovana Stefanovska
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia; (J.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Marko Stalević
- Medical Faculty, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia; (S.T.-O.); (M.S.); (A.I.); (M.R.)
| | - Aleksandra Ignjatović
- Medical Faculty, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia; (S.T.-O.); (M.S.); (A.I.); (M.R.)
- Public Health Institute Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Marina Ranđelović
- Medical Faculty, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia; (S.T.-O.); (M.S.); (A.I.); (M.R.)
- Public Health Institute Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Bojan Gajić
- College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, UAE University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Aleksandar Cvetkovikj
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia; (J.S.); (A.C.)
| | - Simona Gabrielli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06499914589
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Cazan CD, Horváth C, Panait LC, Porea D, Marinov M, Alexe V, Mihalca AD. Seasonal dynamics of Phlebotomus neglectus (Diptera: Psychodidae) in cave microhabitats in Romania and the rediscovery of Sergentomyia minuta (Rondani, 1843) after 50 years. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:476. [PMID: 34526131 PMCID: PMC8442371 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04985-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a countrywide study aiming to update the knowledge on diversity of sand fly species in Romania, a sand fly population was observed in an isolated system of cave microhabitats. The caves are located in the protected area of Canaraua Fetii, Dobrogea region, southeastern Romania. The highest sand fly diversity was recorded in this area between 1968 and 1970. This work presents a study conducted to estimate the seasonal variation of the sand fly species in correlation with the particular environmental factors of the isolated system of cave microhabitats. Methods Sand flies were collected between May and October 2020 from one trapping site of interest in Canaraua Fetii. The trapping site consisted of a cave entrance. CDC miniature light traps and sticky traps were used to collect insects from the exterior walls of the cave entrance. Species identification of collected sand flies was done using morphological keys. Statistical analysis of the trapping and climatic data was performed. Results From all collected sand flies, 99.7% (818/822) were Phlebotomus neglectus, 0.1% (1/822) Ph. balcanicus and 0.2% (2/822) Sergentomyia minuta. Sand fly activity was first observed on 2 July and last on 24 September. A monomodal abundance trend was present, with the peak activity between 16 and 17 July. The analysis of the climatic data showed correlations between the total number of captured sand flies and both average temperature and average relative humidity. The total number of collected specimens was statistically higher when CDC miniature light traps were used compared to sticky traps. The number of females on the sticky traps was significantly higher than the number of males on the same trap type. Compared with the sticky traps, significantly more males were collected by CDC miniature light traps. This is the first record of Se. minuta in Romania after 50 years of no records (despite the trapping effort of the last 5 years in the country). Also, Ph. sergenti, previously present in this location, was not found. Conclusions In the investigated natural habitat, the diversity of the sand fly species appears to have changed, with the predominance of Ph. neglectus instead of Ph. balcanicus and Se. minuta (recorded as the two predominant species in 1968–1970). A monomodal abundance trend was observed as in other regions of the country. The sand fly activity in this particular cave microhabitat appears to be longer than in other regions in Romania. Longer sand fly activity increases the zoonotic risk of various pathogenic species’ transmission, with an impact on public health, as sand flies are important insect vectors. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04985-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, CDS-9, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cintia Horváth
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Luciana Cătălina Panait
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniela Porea
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea, Romania
| | - Mihai Marinov
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea, Romania.
| | - Vasile Alexe
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Cazan CD, Sándor AD, Erisoz Kasap O, Alten B, Mihalca AD. Sand fly fauna of South-Eastern Romania, with the description of Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) simonahalepae n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae). Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:448. [PMID: 34488868 PMCID: PMC8420062 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04929-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An entomological study was conducted in the Canaraua Fetii Special Protection Area in the Dobrogea region, South-Eastern Romania. Four sand fly species were recorded at this location between 1968 and 1970: Phlebotomus neglectus, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. sergenti and Sergentomyia minuta. The most abundant sand fly species recorded at that time were Ph. balcanicus and Se. minuta. In the context of a countrywide study to update the sand fly species diversity, we surveyed the same area, recording also a previously unknown Ph. (Transphlebotomus) sp., for which we provide a formal description here. Methods Sand flies were collected between July and August in 2018 and 2019 in three sites from Canaraua Fetii, Dobrogea region, Romania. The general aspect of the landscape is of a canyon (vertical, narrow walls and deep valleys). Species identification was done using both morphological and molecular analyses. Results Out of 645 collected sand flies, 644 (99.8%) were morphologically identified as Ph. neglectus, while one female specimen (0.2%) was assigned to a previously unknown species, belonging to the subgenus Transphlebotomus. The morphological and molecular examination of this specimen showed that it is a previously unknown species which we formally describe here as Phlebotomus (Transphlebotomus) simonahalepae n. sp. Also, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. sergenti, and Se. minuta (previously recorded in this location) were not present. Conclusions The study revealed for the first time the presence of sand flies of the subgenus Transphlebotomus in Romania. Moreover, a new species, Ph. simonahalepae n. sp., was described based on a female specimen, raising the number of species in this subgenus to six. In the investigated natural habitat, the predominant species was Ph. neglectus instead of Ph. balcanicus and Se. minuta (recorded as the predominant species in 1968–1970). Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04929-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Daniela Cazan
- CDS-9: Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. .,Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ozge Erisoz Kasap
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Canine Leishmaniosis in Greece: An Updated Countrywide Serological Study and Associated Risk Factors. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091129. [PMID: 34578159 PMCID: PMC8470449 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum) is a zoonotic disease that affects dogs worldwide. Greece is enzootic for this disease, and updated data for its current distribution are of major importance. The aim of this cross-sectional serological study was primarily to update the current knowledge of Leishmania infantum seropositivity status within the asymptomatic Greek canine population and, furthermore, to assess the possible climatological and other risk factors. In total, sera of 1265 asymptomatic dogs were collected from all prefectures of the country. A questionnaire that included all individual dog information was completed for all animals. The Speed Leish K® canine Leishmania antibody test kit (BVT Groupe Virbac, France) was employed. Potential risk factors were evaluated utilizing logistic regression models. Overall, 13.8% (n = 175) of the sampled dogs were seropositive to Leishmania infantum originating from all geographical departments of the country, whereas most prefectures had at least one seropositive animal. Outdoor living, high mean humidity, low mean wind speed and high total annual rainfall were found to increase the seropositivity status against the parasite. Conclusively, Leishmania infantum remains a common parasite challenge in the asymptomatic canine population of Greece, and therefore, its early diagnosis and effective prevention are significant in the country.
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Șuleșco T, Erisoz Kasap O, Halada P, Oğuz G, Rusnac D, Gresova M, Alten B, Volf P, Dvorak V. Phlebotomine sand fly survey in the Republic of Moldova: species composition, distribution and host preferences. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:371. [PMID: 34289883 PMCID: PMC8293551 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04858-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodiae) in the Republic of Moldova have been understudied for decades. Our study provides a first update on their occurrence, species composition and bloodmeal sources after 50 years. METHODS During 5 seasons (2013-2017), 58 localities from 20 regions were surveyed for presence of sand flies using CDC light traps and manual aspirators. Species identification was done by a combination of morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding, MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling). In engorged females, host blood was identified by three molecular techniques (RFLP, cytb sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping). Population structure of most abundant species was studied by cox1 haplotyping; phylogenetic analyses of ITS2 and cox1 genetic markers were used to resolve relationships of other detected species. RESULTS In total, 793 sand flies were collected at 30 (51.7%) localities from 12 regions of Moldova. Three species were identified by an integrative morphological and molecular approach: Phlebotomus papatasi, P. perfiliewi and Phlebotomus sp. (Adlerius), the first being the most abundant and widespread, markedly anthropophilic based on bloodmeal analyses, occurring also indoors and showing low population structure with only five haplotypes of cox1 detected. Distinct morphological and molecular characters of Phlebotomus sp. (Adlerius) specimens suggest the presence of a yet undescribed species. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed the presence of stable sand fly populations of three species in Moldova that represent a biting nuisance as well as a potential threat of pathogen transmission and shall be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Șuleșco
- Laboratory of Entomology, Institute of Zoology, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.
| | - Ozge Erisoz Kasap
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Petr Halada
- BioCeV, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Gizem Oğuz
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dimian Rusnac
- Laboratory of Entomology, Institute of Zoology, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Marketa Gresova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Ecology Section, Faculty of Science, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vit Dvorak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Alonso FH, Vasilatis DM, Veluvolu SM, Willcox JL, Scorza BM, Petersen CA, Kol A. Canine leishmaniasis in Northern California-A case report. Vet Clin Pathol 2021; 50:71-75. [PMID: 33745143 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A 3-year-old dog was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California-Davis for further evaluation of episodes of epistaxis of 1-year duration and peripheral lymphadenopathy. The patient had a history of atopic dermatitis with no travel history outside of California. Hyperglobulinemia with a polyclonal gammopathy was noted on serum protein electrophoresis. Microscopic evaluation of a bone marrow aspirate sample revealed many free and intra-cellular amastigotes of Leishmania sp. that was further confirmed by qPCR as L infantum. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of canine leishmaniasis in the state of California. The patient is believed to have been vertically infected from the dam who is from Serbia and remained subclinical until presentation. Because the clinical progression of leishmaniasis is variable, it is important that precautions be discussed with owners acquiring puppies with dams from endemic regions of leishmaniasis to prevent zoonotic exposure in states where competent vectors are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio H Alonso
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Demitria M Vasilatis
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sridhar M Veluvolu
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Willcox
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Breanna M Scorza
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Christine A Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Amir Kol
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Cazan CD, Ionică AM, Matei IA, D’Amico G, Muñoz C, Berriatua E, Dumitrache MO. Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA and antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Ehrlichia canis in a dog kennel in South-Central Romania. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:42. [PMID: 32746875 PMCID: PMC7398206 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine vector-borne diseases are caused by pathogens transmitted by arthropods including ticks, mosquitoes and sand flies. Many canine vector-borne diseases are of zoonotic importance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vector-borne infections caused by Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma spp. and Leishmania infantum in a dog kennel in Argeș County, Romania. Dog kennels are shelters for stray dogs with no officially registered owners that are gathered to be neutered and/or boarded for national/international adoptions by various public or private organizations. The international dog adoptions might represent a risk in the transmission of pathogens into new regions. In this context, a total number of 149 blood samples and 149 conjunctival swabs from asymptomatic kennel dogs were assessed using serology and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. were detected in one dog (0.6%), anti-Anaplasma antibodies were found in five dogs (3.3%), while ten dogs (6.7%) tested positive for D. immitis antigen. Overall, 20.1% (30/149) of dogs were positive for L. infantum DNA. All samples were seronegative for anti-Leishmania antibodies. When adopting dogs from this region of Romania, owners should be aware of possible infection with especially L. infantum. The travel of infected dogs may introduce the infection to areas where leishmaniasis is not present.
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Focus on Common Small Animal Vector-Borne Diseases in Central and Southeastern Europe. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/acve-2020-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in small animals in Europe. Many of these diseases are well-known among veterinary practitioners and some of them are called emerging diseases as prevalence, temporal and spatial distribution seem to increase in Europe. The number of newly recognized pathogens, transmitted by a variety of arthropod vectors, that are relevant for dogs and cats, is also increasing every year. The prevalence among infected vectors and hosts is a hot topic in veterinary science throughout the entire continent, as well as the development of efficient diagnostic procedures, therapy and prophylactic measures. Companion animal vector-borne diseases comprise a large group of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths. These pathogens are mainly transmitted by bloodsucking arthropods (ticks, fleas, mosquitos, sand flies), and more seldom by direct transmission between vertebrate hosts. Vector prevalence and activity is influenced by local climate conditions, host species density, changes in landscape and land use. Human parameters such as poverty and migration affect the use of prophylactic measures against pathogen transmission and infection as well as increasing the zoonotic risk to introducing pathogens by infected humans. Small animal associated factors such as pet trade and pet travel spread infection and certain vectors such as ticks and fleas. All these factors pose several complex and significant challenges for veterinarians in clinical practice to decide on efficient laboratory work-up and constructive diagnostic procedures.
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