Assessment of Leishmania infantum infection in equine populations in a canine visceral leishmaniosis transmission area.
Abstract: Leishmaniosis, zoonosis that produces significant public health impacts, is caused by Leishmania infantum. Canines are the main domestic reservoir and, besides humans, other species of mammals could be infected when living in endemic areas. In this study, we detected equine Leishmania infantum infections in a canine visceral leishmaniosis transmission area and evaluated the clinical, haematological, biochemical and oxidative stress disorders. This study was conducted in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, south of Brazil. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 124 animals (98 horses and 26 dogs) of both genders and several breeds after they underwent general and dermatologic examinations. Results: Twenty five Leishmania infantum infected animals (20.16%), 14 horses and 11 dogs were detected by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification of kinetoplast DNA regions with 96% homology to Leishmania infantum (GenBank Accession No. L 19877.1). The clinical and haematological alterations of infected equines were skin lesions, nodules, lymphadenopathy, decreased levels in red blood cells and haematocrit (p < 0.05) and increase in urea serum concentration (p < 0.05), while CVL presented a decrease in red blood cells counts (p < 0.05), increase in lymphocytes (p < 0.05), and decrease in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (p 0.05) in both species. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this has been the first leishmaniosis equine survey performed in south of Brazil, caused by Leishmania infantum that were able to initially identify haematological and biochemical changes in the species, even in asymptomatic animals. We present evidence supporting those findings of haematological and biochemical changes could be related to infection. Surprisingly, the clinical manifestations of equine infection were similar to those found in canine visceral leishmaniosis. The equine population could be play an important role in the cycle of leishmaniosis in south Brazil and consequently indicates a great risk of public health. This evaluation of infected animals is important to establish the clinical and laboratory parameters involved in the disease progression.
Publication Date: 2019-10-30 PubMed ID: 31666069PubMed Central: PMC6821015DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2108-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses a study conducted to assess the presence and effects of Leishmania infantum infections in horses, living in an area where canine visceral leishmaniosis is transmitted, in the southern region of Brazil. The study discovered changes in haematological and biochemical factors in the infected equines, similar to those found in dogs with the disease, even in asymptomatic animals.
Research Details
- The study was conducted in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, located in the southern part of Brazil.
- A total of 124 animals, comprising 98 horses and 26 dogs of various breeds and both genders, were examined for Leishmania infantum infection.
- These examinations included general check-ups and detailed dermatologic assessments.
- For the purpose of the infection detection, peripheral blood samples were collected from all the animals and analysed using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method.
Findings
- The researchers found that 25 out of 124 animals were infected with Leishmania infantum, this included 14 horses and 11 dogs.
- The Leishmania infantum found had a 96% homology (similarity) to the reference collected in the GenBank with Accession Number L19877.1.
- The equines displayed skin lesions, nodules, and lymphadenopathy, with lowered red blood cell levels and haematocrit, as well as increased serum concentration of urea.
- The same symptoms were found in dogs with visceral leishmaniosis, including a decrease in red blood cells, increased lymphocytes, and a decreased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.
- The research also performed tests for oxidative stress markers in the plasma protein carbonyl and plasma lipid peroxidation but found no significant changes.
Conclusions
- This study is the first to survey equine leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum in southern Brazil.
- It found significant haematological and biochemical changes in infected horses, including in asymptomatic cases.
- The clinical symptoms observed in the infected horses were similar to those found in dogs with visceral leishmaniosis.
- The results suggest that the equine population could play a significant role in the cycle of leishmaniosis in southern Brazil, presenting a substantial public health risk.
- Further assessments of infected animals are necessary to fully understand the clinical and laboratory parameters involved in the progression of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Escobar TA, Dowich G, Dos Santos TP, Zuravski L, Duarte CA, Lübeck I, Manfredini V.
(2019).
Assessment of Leishmania infantum infection in equine populations in a canine visceral leishmaniosis transmission area.
BMC Vet Res, 15(1), 381.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-2108-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biochemistry Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pampa, 118 BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil. taianeescobar@hotmail.com.
- Animal Science, Postgraduate, Federal University of Pampa, 118 BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil.
- Pharmacy, Federal University of Pampa, 118 BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil.
- Biochemistry Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pampa, 118 BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, 118, BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, 118, BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil.
- Biochemistry Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Pampa, 118 BR 472, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Km 592, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brazil / epidemiology
- DNA, Kinetoplast / genetics
- Dog Diseases / blood
- Dog Diseases / epidemiology
- Dog Diseases / parasitology
- Dogs
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Leishmania infantum / genetics
- Leishmania infantum / isolation & purification
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral / parasitology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral / veterinary
- Zoonoses
Grant Funding
- Finance Code 001 / Coordenau00e7u00e3o de Aperfeiu00e7oamento de Pessoal de Nu00edvel Superior
- Nu00ba 17/2551-001 405-7 by Research Program for SUS: Shared Health Management - PPSUS: DECIT/SCTIE/MS, CNPq, FAPERGS and SES-RS / Fundau00e7u00e3o de Amparo u00e0 Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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