Leishmania Infection in Wild Lagomorphs and Domestic Dogs in North-East Spain
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Author
Cabezón, Oscar
Martínez-Orellana, Pamela
Puig Ribas, Maria
Jota Baptista, Catarina
Gassó, Diana
Velarde, Roser
Fernández Aguilar, Xavier
Solano-Gallego, Laia
Publication date
2024-04-02ISSN
2076-2615
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite distributed worldwide that is transmitted
by phlebotomine sandflies. Dogs are the main reservoir for human infections. However, in recent years,
the capacity of lagomorphs to contribute to Leishmania transmission has been confirmed. The present study
aimed to assess Leishmania spp. exposure and infection in lagomorphs and sympatric domestic dogs in
NE Spain. Sera from European hares, European rabbits, and rural dogs were tested for antibodies against
L. infantum using an in-house indirect ELISA. PCR analysis targeting Leishmania spp. was performed in
spleens from L. europaeus. Antibodies against Leishmania spp. were detected in all the species analyzed.
Total sample prevalence was significantly higher in O. cuniculus (27.9%) than in L. europaeus (2.0%). Results
of the PCR were all negative. The present study expands knowledge about Leishmania infections in
free-ranging lagomorphs in the Iberian Peninsula, suggesting a more important role of O. cuniculus in the
study area. Given the strong correlation between lagomorph densities and human leishmaniasis outbreaks
in Spain, the high rabbit and human densities in NE Spain, and the high Leishmania spp. seroprevalence in
rabbits, it becomes imperative to establish surveillance programs for lagomorphs in this region.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
619 - Veterinary science
Pages
9
Publisher
MDPI
Is part of
Animals
Citation
Cabezón, Óscar, Pamela Martínez-Orellana, M. Ribas, Catarina Jota Baptista, Diana Gassó, Roser Velarde, Xavier Fernández-Aguilar, and Laia Solano‐Gallego. 2024. “Leishmania Infection in Wild Lagomorphs and Domestic Dogs in North-East Spain.” Animals 14 (7): 1080. doi:10.3390/ani14071080.
Program
Sanitat Animal
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2651]
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