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Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo2021; 63; e12; doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202163012

Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in blood samples of horses (Equus caballus) and donkeys (Equus asinus) by PCR.

Abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the Leishmania infantum parasite. The protozoan is able to infect several domestic and wild mammals. Since the first report on Leishmania spp. infection in horses in South America, leishmaniasis in equids has been highlighted in Brazil. A molecular epidemiological survey was carried out to verify the occurrence of Leishmania spp. DNA in horses and donkeys, in leishmaniases endemic areas in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. To this end, blood samples were obtained from 107 horses and 36 donkeys and subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR targeting the ITS-1 region. Among the horses and donkeys, 1.87% (2/107) and 8.33% (3/36) were positive by PCR, respectively. The DNA sequencing of the ITS-1 amplification products confirmed L. infantum DNA in these animals. Our results suggest that horses and donkeys from non-VL and VL endemic areas of São Paulo State may be infected by the parasite.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-29 PubMed ID: 33533815PubMed Central: PMC7845934DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946202163012Google 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 study aims to demonstrate the existence of Leishmania infantum, the cause of visceral leishmaniasis, in horses and donkeys in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The researchers’ molecular analysis found L. infantum DNA in approximately 1.87% of horses and 8.33% of donkeys tested.

Study Overview

This study was conducted to explore the presence of Leishmania infantum, a parasite causing visceral leishmaniasis, within horses and donkeys. The researchers worked in areas of Sao Paulo State in Brazil, known for endemic leishmaniases.

  • This tropical disease, though mainly affecting humans, can also afflict domesticated and wild animals.
  • The infection in horses was initially recognized in South America, but its presence in equines—horses and donkeys—has become more noted in Brazil.

Methodology

The researchers employed a molecular epidemiological survey to recognize the DNA of Leishmania spp. within horses and donkeys.

  • The survey included 107 horses and 36 donkeys, all of whom were living in areas known for leishmaniases.
  • Blood samples were collected and went through DNA extraction, followed by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) concentrating on the ITS-1 region, an area useful for detecting Leishmania spp.

Results

Following the PCR, there was a detection of Leishmania DNA within the blood samples of some animals.

  • Within the group of horses, 1.87% (2 out of 107) returned positive results.
  • For the group of donkeys, 8.33% (3 out of 36) had positive results.
  • The ITS-1 amplified products were sequenced which confirmed the presence of L. infantum DNA in the tested animals.

Conclusion

The study reveals that horses and donkeys might be susceptible to infection by L. infantum regardless of whether they are in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or non-VL endemic areas in São Paulo State. This suggests a broader reach for the protozoa’s infection potential within these animal populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Leonel JAF, Tannihão B, Arantes JA, Vioti G, Benassi JC, Brandi RA, Ferreira HL, Keid LB, Soares RM, Oliveira TMFS. (2021). Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in blood samples of horses (Equus caballus) and donkeys (Equus asinus) by PCR. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 63, e12. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-9946202163012

Publication

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo
ISSN: 1678-9946
NlmUniqueID: 7507484
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 63
Pages: e12
PII: e12

Researcher Affiliations

Leonel, João Augusto Franco
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Tannihão, Bruna
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Arantes, Julia Assis
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vioti, Geovanna
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Benassi, Julia Cristina
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Brandi, Roberta Ariboni
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Zootecnia, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ferreira, Helena Lage
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Keid, Lara Borges
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Soares, Rodrigo Martins
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Oliveira, Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Aplicada, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia Experimental Aplicada às Zoonoses, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • DNA
  • Equidae / blood
  • Horses / blood
  • Leishmania infantum / genetics
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / diagnosis
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / veterinary
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
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