Antibodies to Leishmania in naturally exposed domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in Spain

Villanueva‐Saz, Sergio; Giner, Jacobo; Verde, Maite; Yzuel, Andrés; Ruíz, Héctor; Lacasta, Delia; Riera, Cristina; Fisa, Roser; Alcover, M. Magdalena; Fernández, Antonio

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109492

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…The data obtained in the present study provide an estimation of L. infantum seroprevalence in domestic ferrets in Spain. Although we obtained data demonstrating ferret exposure to L. infantum inoculations, in accord with a previous report [ 27 ], the mere presence of antibodies or parasite DNA is not sufficient evidence of reservoir host status [ 38 ]. To confirm whether an animal is an accidental or reservoir (primary or secondary) host of L. infantum requires xenodiagnosis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…This animal was classified as apparently healthy ferret without evidence clinical signs detected during physical examination. In this sense, it is possible to detect seasonal variation in anti- Leishmania antibodies in dogs [ 26 ] and ferrets [ 27 ] in endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis. Finally, all the asymptomatic ferrets with full blood samples, previously screened for Leishmania DNA, tested negative.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First epidemiological survey of Leishmania infantum in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in a canine leishmaniosis endemic area using serology and PCR

et al. 2022

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Background Leishmaniosis, a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania infantum, is one of the most important parasitic zoonoses in Europe. The transmission cycle of leishmaniosis is maintained by both domestic and wild animals. However, few data are available on the role of wild mammals in transmitting the parasite in the European Mediterranean basin. As feline leishmaniosis, diagnosis of the infection in ferrets can be a challenge, the use of different serological and molecular methods combined is a recommended approach. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of infection of L. infantum in apparently healthy domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in an endemic region of Spain (Community of Valencia), using serological and molecular methods and to evaluate the results comparing the different techniques. Methods The prevalence of Leishmania infection was studied in domestic ferrets. Blood was collected from each animal for serology and molecular analysis. Two serological methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB), were used for the detection of L. infantum antibodies, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for the detection of L. infantum DNA. Results Blood samples from 102 apparently healthy ferrets were analyzed. In the serological study, 25.5% of the animals tested positive by western blot, and 9.0% by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The seroprevalence of L. infantum infection, based on a positive result in any serological test, was 28.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.6–S37.9%). No kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) was detected by qPCR in peripheral blood samples from the ferrets tested. Conclusions The immunological response revealed by these tests indicates that the ferrets are exposed to repeated inoculations with the endemic parasite L. infantum. Although the low population of domestic ferrets means their reservoir potential is limited in the absence of a primary host, it would be of interest to carry out further studies using xenodiagnosis to determine whether they are accidental or reservoir host species capable of spreading infection. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

First epidemiological survey of Leishmania infantum in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in a canine leishmaniosis endemic area using serology and PCR

et al. 2022

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“…The domestic dog is the primary reservoir of L. infantum, although other mammalian reservoirs also exist [1,[15][16][17][18]. It has been suggested that cats, rabbits, and ferrets may act not only as accidental hosts, but also as reservoirs [2,[19][20][21][22]. Cats are gaining importance in the zoonotic cycle of visceral leishmaniasis, as they have been shown to be capable of transmitting L. infantum to sand flies, and reports of feline leishmaniosis cases are increasing [23,24].…”

Section: Canine Leishmaniosis and Associated Immune Responses 1canine Leishmaniosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Modulation of the Immune Response Mediated by Nucleotides in Canine Leishmaniosis

Segarra

2021

Microorganisms

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Leishmaniasis is an emerging, uncontrolled, and neglected zoonotic disease. Climate change is contributing to its ongoing global expansion. The dog is the main reservoir; hence the importance of implementing effective treatment, prevention, and control measures in this animal species to protect public health. However, although the standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is effective, it does not provide full parasitological clearance, and side effects and drug resistance have been described. The host’s immune system plays a key role in the establishment and evolution of leishmaniasis. Dietary nucleotides modulate the immune response and, given their reported efficacy and safety in sick and clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs and because they represent a sustainable option with no associated side effects or resistance, they could be included within the prevention, treatment, and control strategies for leishmaniasis. This article briefly summarizes the scientific literature on CanL management, including unresolved issues, and reviews the scientific evidence on immunomodulatory effects of dietary nucleotides in different animal species. It also proposes a CanL management algorithm, including nucleotides. It is concluded that nutritional modulation of the immune response with nucleotides can contribute to better management of leishmaniasis following a One Health approach, especially in the COVID-19 era.

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Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum in ferrets: Update review

Villanueva‐Saz

Giner

Marteles

et al. 2022

Veterinary and Animal Science

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Leishmaniosis in domestic ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ) is a disease caused by Leishmania infantum , a parasite transmitted through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sand fly. Among vertebrates, the dog is the primary domestic reservoir of the parasite; however, other domestic animals can be implicated such as cats. The first description of a clinical case of leishmaniosis in domestic ferrets was reported recently. As a result, new knowledge has been published including empirically based treatment protocols, confirmatory techniques to detect the presence of the parasite infection and seasonal variation in the antibodies against Leishmania in apparently healthy domestic ferrets. The most common clinical signs observed are enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes and skin lesions such as papular and/or ulcerative dermatitis. Additionally, the most frequent laboratory alterations seen are hyperproteinaemia with hyperglobulinaemia and biochemical analytes alterations depending on the affected tissue. Two different therapeutic protocols have been described to treat domestic ferrets with leishmaniosis: meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol protocol or miltefosine plus allopurinol protocol. These treatment protocols seemed to be able to control the Leishmania infection, although the presence of xanthinuria could be detected. The susceptibility of domestic ferrets to Leishmania infantum , the clinical picture, treatment of infected animals and prevention are poorly understood, due to the scarcity of recent description in the literature. Different proposed diagnostic algorithms have been included for domestic ferrets with suspected leishmaniosis, clinically healthy domestic ferrets and animals as blood donors. In this sense, the present review provides updated data on scientific knowledge of leishmaniosis in ferrets.

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Antibodies to Leishmania in naturally exposed domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in Spain

Cited by 3 publications

References 21 publications

First epidemiological survey of Leishmania infantum in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in a canine leishmaniosis endemic area using serology and PCR

First epidemiological survey of Leishmania infantum in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in a canine leishmaniosis endemic area using serology and PCR

Nutritional Modulation of the Immune Response Mediated by Nucleotides in Canine Leishmaniosis

Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum in ferrets: Update review

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