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Veterinary parasitology2013; 197(3-4); 665-669; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.06.014

First evidence of autochthonous cases of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in horse (Equus caballus) in the Americas and mixed infection of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

Abstract: This study reports the first evidence of infection by Leishmania infantum in Equus caballus in Americas and the first mixed infection of L. infantum/Leishmania braziliensis on this mammalian species in the world. The diagnoses was based on presence of parasites in lesions and bone marrow aspirates, their identification by using specific primers for L. infantum and L. braziliensis complexes and also serological methods IFAT and ELISA. The analysis of the PCR products suggested mixed infection in three animals. Further studies involving equine leishmaniasis are carrying out in order to clarify the dynamic of Leishmania sp. in this mammalian specie and their role in the transmission of those parasites in urban endemic area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-06-20 PubMed ID: 23845306DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.06.014Google 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.

This research reveals the first known cases of Leishmania infantum infection in horses in the Americas, and also the world’s first recorded instance of a mixed infection of L. infantum and Leishmania Braziliensis in horses. The diagnosis leveraged parasite detection, specific priming methods and serological assays, pointing to mixed infection in three subjects. Further studies are underway to understand the dynamics of Leishmania sp. in horses and their role in transmitting these parasites in endemic urban areas in Brazil.

Introduction

  • The research focuses on the identification of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania Braziliensis infection in horses, specifically in the Americas.
  • This particular study is ground-breaking as it marks the discovery of the first documented cases of these infections in this species in the region.

Methodology

  • Diagnosis of the Leishmania infection was determined by detecting the presence of the parasites in lesions and bone marrow aspirates.
  • Further identification was done using specific primers aimed at detecting L. infantum and L. braziliensis.
  • Serological methods like Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were also employed to confirm the diagnosis.

Results

  • The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis of the products suggested a mixed infection in three animals.
  • This is the first recorded instance of a mixed infection of L. infantum and L. braziliensis in the Equus caballus species anywhere in the world.

Further Studies

  • The researchers indicate that additional studies involving equine leishmaniasis are being carried out.
  • The objective of these studies is to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of Leishmania sp. in horses.
  • Another key focus is to investigate the role these horses could potentially play in the transmission of these parasites, especially in endemic urban areas of Belo Horizonte, within the Minas Gerais State in Brazil.

Cite This Article

APA
Soares IR, Silva SO, Moreira FM, Prado LG, Fantini P, Maranhão Rde P, da Silva Filho JM, Melo MN, Palhares MS. (2013). First evidence of autochthonous cases of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in horse (Equus caballus) in the Americas and mixed infection of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Vet Parasitol, 197(3-4), 665-669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.06.014

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 197
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 665-669
PII: S0304-4017(13)00365-8

Researcher Affiliations

Soares, Isabel R
  • Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, CEP: 30123-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: bebelsoares@yahoo.com.br.
Silva, Soraia O
    Moreira, Filipe Moraghi
      Prado, Luan Gavião
        Fantini, Priscila
          Maranhão, Renata de Pino Albuquerque
            da Silva Filho, José Monteiro
              Melo, Maria Norma
                Palhares, Maristela S

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Brazil / epidemiology
                  • Coinfection
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                  • Horse Diseases / pathology
                  • Horses
                  • Leishmania braziliensis / isolation & purification
                  • Leishmania infantum / isolation & purification
                  • Leishmaniasis / epidemiology
                  • Leishmaniasis / parasitology
                  • Leishmaniasis / pathology
                  • Leishmaniasis / veterinary
                  • Male

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 23 times.
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