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Portero M, Miró G, Checa R, Martínez de Merlo E, Fragío C, Benito M, Sainz Á, Pérez C. Role of Leishmania infantum in Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Area. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030571. [PMID: 33802179 PMCID: PMC7998340 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030571] [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: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The main hypothesis for the aetiology of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) in dogs is an autoimmune or genetic cause that is associated with a triggering event (environmental factors/infectious agents). The aim of this ambispective cohort study was to test for Leishmania infantum infection in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with MUO in an endemic area of canine leishmaniosis. Dogs with MUO were selected amongst all dogs undergoing blood anti-L. infantum antibody testing (control group). The blood plasma or serum samples from all dogs were analysed for anti- L. infantum antibodies by a quantitative indirect fluorescent assay (IFAT). In dogs with MUO, CSF samples were obtained for analysed by PCR detection of L. infantum DNA. Forty-four percent and 22% of the dogs in the MUO group featured magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and CSF cytology respectively, consistent with L. infantum infection. IFAT, PCR, and histological findings were negative for L. infantum. A significant difference in L. infantum infection prevalence was found between the control and MUO group (p = 0.0022). While it seems unlikely that L. infantum plays a role in the aetiology of MUO, in endemic areas, this pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis of this neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Portero
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Rocío Checa
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Elena Martínez de Merlo
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Cristina Fragío
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Miguel Benito
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Ángel Sainz
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
| | - Carmen Pérez
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Hospital Clinico Veterinario Complutense, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.d.M.); (C.F.); (M.B.); (Á.S.); (C.P.)
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Leishmania hide-and-seek: Parasite amastigotes in the choroid plexus of a dog with neurological signs in an endemic municipality in Brazil. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2019; 17:100291. [PMID: 31303241 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A female adult mixed-breed stray dog presented with hind limb paraparesis and clinical signs of visceral leishmaniasis. The cerebrospinal fluid presented signs of blood-brain barrier disruption. Both spleen and brain were positive for Leishmania spp. DNA. Besides inflammation, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed the presence of intracellular amastigotes in the choroid plexus (CP). Despite other studies that revealed parasite DNA, the current study describes the presence of Leishmania within the brain of a naturally infected dog, specifically in CP, with no previous reports in the Americas, and suggests the CP as a possible pathway to parasite entry into the brain.
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Maia C, Campino L. Biomarkers Associated With Leishmania infantum Exposure, Infection, and Disease in Dogs. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:302. [PMID: 30237985 PMCID: PMC6136405 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum species [syn. L. (L.) infantum chagasi species in the Americas] which is transmitted by the bite of a female phlebotomine sand fly. This parasitosis is endemic and affect millions of dogs in Asia, the Americas and the Mediterranean basin. Domestic dogs are the main hosts and the main reservoir hosts for human zoonotic leishmaniosis. The outcome of infection is a consequence of intricate interactions between the protozoan and the immunological and genetic background of the host. Clinical manifestations can range from subclinical infection to very severe disease. Early detection of infected dogs, their close surveillance and treatment are essential to control the dissemination of the parasite among other dogs, being also a pivotal element for the control of human zoonotic leishmaniosis. Hence, the identification of biomarkers for the confirmation of Leishmania infection, disease and determination of an appropriate treatment would represent an important tool to assist clinicians in diagnosis, monitoring and in giving a realistic prognosis to subclinical infected and sick dogs. Here, we review the recent advances in the identification of Leishmania infantum biomarkers, focusing on those related to parasite exposure, susceptibility to infection and disease development. Markers related to the pathogenesis of the disease and to monitoring the evolution of leishmaniosis and treatment outcome are also summarized. Data emphasizes the complexity of parasite-host interactions and that a single biomarker cannot be used alone for CanL diagnosis or prognosis. Nevertheless, results are encouraging and future research to explore the potential clinical application of biomarkers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lenea Campino
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
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Toll-like receptors and cytokines in the brain and in spleen of dogs with visceral leishmaniosis. Vet Parasitol 2018; 253:30-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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