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Veterinary parasitology2002; 109(1-2); 9-17; doi: 10.1016/s0304-4017(02)00246-7

Cutaneous leishmaniosis in a horse in southern Germany caused by Leishmania infantum.

Abstract: This report describes a case of cutaneous leishmaniosis in a horse in southern Germany. Diagnosis is based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The protozoan was identified as Leishmania infantum via PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The horse did not show specific Leishmania antibodies. The lesions healed completely within 6 months without any specific treatment. Since neither the infected horse nor its dam had ever left their rural area, autochthonous infection in Germany cannot be excluded. Factors possibly influencing the epidemiological situation are discussed.
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Publication Date: 2002-10-18 PubMed ID: 12383621DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(02)00246-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 explains a case of a horse in southern Germany that got cutaneous leishmaniosis, caused by Leishmania infantum, a type of protozoan. Even without special treatment, the horse recovered in six months. This case, being the first of its kind reported in the region, raises questions about the origins of the infection given that neither the infected horse nor its dam had ever left that area.

Diagnosis and Findings

  • The case of a horse suffering from cutaneous leishmaniosis is described in this study. Cutaneous leishmaniosis is a form of Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania.
  • The diagnosis of this disease was based on various techniques such as histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Histopathology refers to the microscopic examination of tissues, while immunohistochemistry involves staining proteins in tissues, and electron microscopy is a technique to view objects at an ultrastructural level that are too small to be seen by light microscopy.
  • The protozoan causing the disease was identified as Leishmania infantum. This identification was made possible using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). PCR is a technique used to amplify DNA sequences while RFLP is a technique that separates DNA samples into fragments according to their sizes.

Recovery and Origin of the Infection

  • Interestingly, the horse showed no specific antibodies to Leishmania. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to neutralize or destroy harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses.
  • Despite the lack of any specific treatment, the lesions on the horse healed completely within a period of 6 months. This was an interesting observation and has resulted in further discussions in the research paper.
  • The report argues that an autochthonous (local) infection in Germany cannot be ruled out. This is due to the fact that neither the infected horse nor its parents had ever left their local rural area. This stands as an important factor to consider while trying to understand the origin and spread of Leishmania infections in areas where they were not previously reported.

Epidemiological Implications

  • The unexpected encounter of this Leishmania species in a horse in a non-endemic area has led to discussions about possible factors that could influence the epidemiological situation.
  • Such factors include changes in climate that could create a suitable environment for the transmission of the disease and increased traveling of animals and people that can introduce the disease to new areas.

Cite This Article

APA
Koehler K, Stechele M, Hetzel U, Domingo M, Schönian G, Zahner H, Burkhardt E. (2002). Cutaneous leishmaniosis in a horse in southern Germany caused by Leishmania infantum. Vet Parasitol, 109(1-2), 9-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(02)00246-7

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 109
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 9-17

Researcher Affiliations

Koehler, Kernt
  • Institut für Veterinär-Pathologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, D-35392 Giessen, Germany. kernt.koehler@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
Stechele, Maximilian
    Hetzel, Udo
      Domingo, Mariano
        Schönian, Gabriele
          Zahner, Horst
            Burkhardt, Eberhard

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Antibodies, Protozoan / isolation & purification
              • Germany
              • Horse Diseases / parasitology
              • Horses / parasitology
              • Immunohistochemistry
              • Leishmania infantum / immunology
              • Leishmania infantum / isolation & purification
              • Leishmania infantum / ultrastructure
              • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / diagnosis
              • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / immunology
              • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / transmission
              • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / veterinary
              • Male
              • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / diagnosis
              • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / immunology
              • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / parasitology
              • Polymerase Chain Reaction
              • Skin Diseases / immunology
              • Skin Diseases / parasitology
              • Skin Diseases / pathology
              • Skin Diseases / veterinary

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