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Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical2022; 55; e0600; doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0600-2021

Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil.

Abstract: American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a commonly neglected, vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that is a major public health concern in Brazil. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species associated with the disease. Accurate diagnosis is based on epidemiological surveillance, clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis has been detected in several wild and synanthropic mammals. Their epidemiological role has not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to assess potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals, by molecular and serological testing in endemic areas, in the metropolitan region of Recife. Methods: Blood samples and conjunctival fluids were collected from 232 animals (canids, felids, equines, and caprines) for the detection of L. braziliensis using molecular tests (conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR and qPCR]). For immunological detection, blood samples from 115 dogs were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Real-time quantitative PCR showed positive results for blood and conjunctival samples in all investigated species. The results of the blood and conjunctival samples were 68.2% and 26.9% in Canis familiaris, 100% and 41.7% in Felis catus, 77.3% and 30.8% in Equus caballus/Equus asinus, and 50% and 33.3% in Capra hircus samples, respectively. Conclusions: Results from this study adds valuable information to our understanding of the role of asymptomatic domestic animals, L. braziliensis life cycle, and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-12 PubMed ID: 35976338PubMed Central: PMC9405948DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0600-2021Google 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.

This research article studies the presence of a parasitic disease, called Leishmaniasis, in domestic animals in North-east Brazil. The authors test for the disease in asymptomatic animals to understand whether they might play a role in its spread.

Introduction and Objectives

  • The researchers begin by outlining the study’s aim: to investigate if domestic animals, showing no symptoms of disease, could potentially carry the Leishmania (V.) braziliensis parasite, responsible for American cutaneous leishmaniasis – a neglected tropical disease.
  • They state that this information could contribute significant insights into understanding the life cycle of the L. braziliensis parasite, its presence in American cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the role of domestic animals in disease transmission.

Methods

  • The research involved collecting blood samples and conjunctival fluids (fluids from the eyes) from 232 animals, consisting of dogs, cats, horses/donkeys, and goats.
  • These samples were analyzed using molecular tests (including conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR and qPCR)), which detect the presence of the parasite’s genetic material.
  • Additionally, blood samples from 115 dogs specifically were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a diagnostic tool used to detect specific antibodies or infectious agents in a sample.

Results

  • Findings from the real-time quantitative PCR revealed positive results for both blood and conjunctival samples across all animal species tested.
  • The highest detection rates for the parasite in blood samples were found in cats (100%), followed by horses/donkeys (77.3%), dogs (68.2%), and goats (50%).
  • The study also showed that the conjunctival samples exhibited a lower detection rate: cats (41.7%), dogs (26.9%), horses/donkeys (30.8%), and goats (33.3%).

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that asymptomatic domestic animals can carry and potentially spread the L. braziliensis parasite.
  • The findings underscore the need for further research into the role of domestic animals in the disease’s transmission cycle, which could help improve future preventative strategies and control measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Silva CJD, Lima KPB, Monteiro JFDCLS, Silva AKSFD, Silva FJD, Pereira AMS, Hernandes VP, Silva EDD, Silva CSAGE, Brandão Filho SP, Brito MEF. (2022). Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 55, e0600. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0600-2021

Publication

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
ISSN: 1678-9849
NlmUniqueID: 7507456
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 55
Pages: e0600
PII: e0600-2021

Researcher Affiliations

Silva, Claudio Júlio da
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
  • Núcleo de Vigilância em Saúde de Moreno, Moreno, PE, Brasil.
  • Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Faculdade de Ciência e Tecnologia, Porto, Portugal.
Lima, Karina Patricia Baracho
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Monteiro, Juliana Figueirêdo da Costa Lima Suassuna
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Silva, Andréa Karla Sales Ferreira da
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Silva, Fernando José da
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Pereira, Allana Maria de Souza
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Hernandes, Valéria Pereira
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Silva, Elis Dionísio da
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Silva, Cláudia Sofia de Assunção Gonçalves E
  • Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Faculdade de Ciência e Tecnologia, Porto, Portugal.
  • Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Unidade de Investigação em Energia, Ambiente e Saúde, Porto, Portugal.
Brandão Filho, Sinval Pinto
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Brito, Maria Edileuza Felinto de
  • Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Imunologia, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Recife, PE, Brasil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / parasitology
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Leishmania / genetics
  • Leishmania braziliensis / genetics
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / diagnosis
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / epidemiology
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / veterinary
  • Mammals
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Conflict of Interest Statement

There are no conflicts of interest declared by the authors.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Mendes Junior AAV, Filgueira CPB, Miranda LFC, de Almeida AB, Cantanhêde LM, Fagundes A, Pereira SA, Menezes RC, Cupolillo E. First report of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in South American territory and confirmation of Leishbunyavirus infecting this parasite in a mare. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023;118:e220220.
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  2. Monteiro PQ, Schaeffer E, da Silva AJM, Alves CR, Souza-Silva F. A Virtual Screening Approach to Evaluate the Multitarget Potential of a Chalcone Library with Binding Properties to Oligopeptidase B and Cysteine Proteinase B from Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Feb 26;26(5).
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  3. Rihs JB, Vilela MT, Dos Santos JSC, de Souza Filho JA, Caldas S, Leite RS, Mol MPG. qPCR as a Tool for the Diagnosis of Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Parasitol 2025 Jan 7;70(1):16.
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