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Villanueva-Saz S, Giner J, Marteles D, Verde M, Yzuel A, Riera C, Fisa R, Alcover M, Fernández A. Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum in ferrets: Update review. Vet Anim Sci 2022; 15:100229. [PMID: 35028486 PMCID: PMC8739881 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2021.100229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniosis in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) is a disease caused by Leishmania infantum, a parasite transmitted through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sand fly. Among vertebrates, the dog is the primary domestic reservoir of the parasite; however, other domestic animals can be implicated such as cats. The first description of a clinical case of leishmaniosis in domestic ferrets was reported recently. As a result, new knowledge has been published including empirically based treatment protocols, confirmatory techniques to detect the presence of the parasite infection and seasonal variation in the antibodies against Leishmania in apparently healthy domestic ferrets. The most common clinical signs observed are enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes and skin lesions such as papular and/or ulcerative dermatitis. Additionally, the most frequent laboratory alterations seen are hyperproteinaemia with hyperglobulinaemia and biochemical analytes alterations depending on the affected tissue. Two different therapeutic protocols have been described to treat domestic ferrets with leishmaniosis: meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol protocol or miltefosine plus allopurinol protocol. These treatment protocols seemed to be able to control the Leishmania infection, although the presence of xanthinuria could be detected. The susceptibility of domestic ferrets to Leishmania infantum, the clinical picture, treatment of infected animals and prevention are poorly understood, due to the scarcity of recent description in the literature. Different proposed diagnostic algorithms have been included for domestic ferrets with suspected leishmaniosis, clinically healthy domestic ferrets and animals as blood donors. In this sense, the present review provides updated data on scientific knowledge of leishmaniosis in ferrets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Villanueva-Saz
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Spain
| | - Jacobo Giner
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Menescalia Veterinary Clinic, Ismael Merlo Actor, 5, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Diana Marteles
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maite Verde
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Spain
| | - Andrés Yzuel
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Cristina Riera
- Departament de Biologia, Salut i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Fisa
- Departament de Biologia, Salut i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magdalena Alcover
- Departament de Biologia, Salut i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Spain
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Invasive Species as Hosts of Zoonotic Infections: The Case of American Mink ( Neovison vison) and Leishmania infantum. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071531. [PMID: 34361966 PMCID: PMC8304841 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum produces an endemic disease in the Mediterranean Basin that affects humans and domestic and wild mammals, which can act as reservoir or minor host. In this study, we analyzed the presence of the parasite in wild American minks, an invasive species in Spain. We screened for L. infantum DNA by PCR using five primer pairs: Two targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), and the rest targeting the ITS1 region, the small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU) and a repetitive sequence (Repeat region). The detection limit was determined for each method using a strain of L. infantum and a bone marrow sample from an infected dog. PCR approaches employing the Repeat region and kDNA (RV1/RV2 primers) showed higher sensitivity than the other PCR methods when control samples were employed. However, only PCR of the Repeat region and nested PCR of SSU (LnSSU) detected the parasite in the samples, while the other three were unable to do so. The majority of the analyzed animals (90.1%) tested positive. American mink may act as an incidental host of the disease for other mammals and should be further investigated, not only for their negative impact on the local fauna, but also as carriers of zoonotic diseases.
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Cardoso L, Schallig H, Persichetti MF, Pennisi MG. New Epidemiological Aspects of Animal Leishmaniosis in Europe: The Role of Vertebrate Hosts Other Than Dogs. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030307. [PMID: 33800782 PMCID: PMC8000700 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Leishmania parasites can lead to severe disease in humans and dogs, which act as a reservoir in zoonotic transmission. An increasing number of reports suggest that leishmaniosis is not restricted to dogs, but also affects many other mammalian and avian species. Consequently, this expands the potential reservoir and is of great public and veterinary health concern. The present study reviews, based on a comprehensive search of scientific literature published from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2020, the currently available information on animal leishmaniosis in vertebrates in Europe, other than dogs and humans. This review provides an exhaustive list of mammals and birds in which infections with or exposure to Leishmania parasites have been detected in European countries. Most cases are reported from the Mediterranean region. Domestic animals, in particular cats, pose a concern because of close contact with humans. The wildlife reservoir is less likely to contribute to zoonotic transmission, with the exception of hares. This potentially large reservoir needs to be taken into account when developing control measures for zoonotic leishmaniosis. From a veterinary point of view, it is important that veterinarians are better aware of leishmaniosis and trained in its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Henk Schallig
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Experimental Parasitology Section, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Maria Flaminia Persichetti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.F.P.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.F.P.); (M.G.P.)
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