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PloS one2014; 9(4); e93731; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093731

Can equids be a reservoir of Leishmania braziliensis in endemic areas?

Abstract: In this study, we detected Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in equids living in endemic regions of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To determine the role of these animals in the Leishmania cycle, we used two approaches: serological and molecular methods. Antibodies to the parasite were assayed using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Blood samples were collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the positive products were sequenced. The results showed that 11.0% (25/227) of the equids were seropositive for Leishmania sp, and 16.3% (37/227) were PCR positive. Antibodies were detected in 20 horses, 3 donkeys, and 2 mules, and the parasite DNA was detected in 30 horses, 5 donkeys, and 2 mules. Sequencing the amplified DNA revealed 100% similarity with sequences for Viannia complex, corroborating the results of PCR for L. braziliensis. Our results show that equids are infected with L. braziliensis, which could be food sources for phlebotomines in the peridomiciliary environment and consequently play a role in the cutaneous leishmaniasis cycle.
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Publication Date: 2014-04-10 PubMed ID: 24721908PubMed Central: PMC3983081DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093731Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article details a study that detected a type of parasite known as Leishmania braziliensis in equids, a family of animals that includes horses, donkeys, and mules. The study suggested that these animals could potentially play a role in the cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis, a skin infection caused by this parasite.

Methods Used

The study utilized two methods to determine the presence and role of Leishmania in the equids:

  • Serological Methods: This involved the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), a test for antibodies related to this parasite in the blood samples from the equids. The presence of these antibodies suggest the animal’s immune system response to exposure to the parasite.
  • Molecular Methods: Here, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was utilized to test the samples. PCR is an effective method of amplifying and then examining specific DNA segments, which in this case, belonged to the parasite.

Results

The tests yielded the following results:

  • 25 out of 227 equids were seropositive according to the ELISA test, indicating an 11% infection rate.
  • 37 out of the 227 equids tested positive for the presence of the parasite DNA via the PCR test, indicating a 16.3% infection rate.
  • Out of the animals tested positive, 20 were horses, 3 were donkeys, and 2 were mules.

Sequencing the DNA

After finding the DNA, it was sequenced, and the sequence showed a 100% similarity with previously known sequences for the Viannia complex, directly associating the PCR results to L. braziliensis.

Conclusion

These results show that equids can indeed be hosts for L. braziliensis infection and therefore could potentially contribute to the cycle of cutaneous leishmaniasis as they serve as food sources for the phlebotomine bugs (sandflies) – the primary vectors of this parasite. Consequently, the equids could contribute to the spread of the infection in the environment where they live.

Cite This Article

APA
Truppel JH, Otomura F, Teodoro U, Massafera R, da Costa-Ribeiro MC, Catarino CM, Dalagrana L, Costa Ferreira ME, Thomaz-Soccol V. (2014). Can equids be a reservoir of Leishmania braziliensis in endemic areas? PLoS One, 9(4), e93731. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0093731

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Pages: e93731
PII: e93731

Researcher Affiliations

Truppel, Jessé Henrique
  • Center for Zoonoses Control, Department of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Department, Araucária, Paraná, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Otomura, Flavio
  • Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Maringá State University (UEM), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Teodoro, Ueslei
  • Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Maringá State University (UEM), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Massafera, Rubens
  • Surveillance Service of Health, Ministry of Health, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
da Costa-Ribeiro, Magda Clara Vieira
  • Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Catarino, Carolina Motter
  • Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Dalagrana, Luana
  • Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Costa Ferreira, Maria Eugênia Moreira
  • Geography Department, Maringá State University (UEM), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Thomaz-Soccol, Vanete
  • Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Disease Reservoirs / parasitology
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Equidae
  • Geography
  • Horses
  • Leishmania braziliensis / genetics
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / veterinary
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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This article has been cited 13 times.
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