Feline Leishmaniosis: An Emerging Public Health Problem

Abstract

Leishmaniosis is the third most important vector-borne disease in humans, preceded by malaria and lymphatic filariasis, and it is considered endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, where higher temperatures favor development of its vector, sandflies. This zoonotic disease is caused by infection of protozoa Leishmania spp. and the most serious mucocutaneous and visceral form is produced by Leishmania infantum, which predominates in the Mediterranean region. The usual hosts for this parasite are dogs and humans, but an increment in cases of L. infantum infection has been observed in cats in the last years. This increase could be due to the use of sandflies repellents in dogs, obligating the parasite to looking for other hosts. The role of cats in the epidemiology of this disease is unknown, although increase of prevalence of feline leishmaniosis has been observed in endemic areas in the last years. Diagnostic techniques and treatments in cats are not standardized, which makes it difficult to establish prevalence and epidemiology of feline leishmaniosis. Furthermore, the clinical signs and immune response against Leishmania in cats are different to those in dogs, with an observed increment of drug resistance. It is necessary to increase our knowledge about L. infantum infection in cats, including clinical signs, transmission, treatments, and the role of cats in the increasing of zoonoses. Finally, new alternative treatments are required for controlling the spread of this disease in all species of mammals.

Canine Cytokines Profile in an Endemic Region of L. infantum: Related Factors

“…This parasitosis could be presented in mucocutaneous or visceral form, and the latter is the most pathogenic and is caused by the species Leishmania infantum, which is predominant in the Mediterranean area [4][5][6]. Although this parasite can infect different types of mammals, including wild animals and cats [7,8], the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is considered the principal reservoir of leishmaniosis due to L. infantum in the Mediterranean basin, Middle East, and South America [5,9]. In Spain, the high prevalence of seroprevalence of L. infantum infection in dogs has been demonstrated in the Mediterranean zone, mainly the Balearic Islands, and Valencian Region [10].…”

Leishmaniose Felina: O Que Sabemos Até O Presente Momento?

“…Também por esse motivo, os gatos podem apresentar lesões cutâneas antes de produzirem anticorpos. (AHUIR-BARAJA et. al., 2021).…”

“…A combinação de diferentes testes é melhor modo de se chegar ao diagnóstico confiável, sempre associando os métodos mais adequados para o gato a ser investigado. (AHUIR-BARAJA et. al., 2021;FERNANDEZ-GALLEGO et.…”

Tópicos Em Sanidade De Cães E Gatos, Volume 3

“…O cão é o principal reservatório da Leishmania, mas, os felinos, também podem ser considerados reservatórios da doença em áreas endêmicas, tendo relevância na transmissão da doença. (AHUIR-BARAJA et. al., 2021;FERNANDEZ-GALLEGO et.…”

“…A coinfecção com FIV parece ser mais significativa quando comparada com a coinfecção com FeLV. (AHUIR-BARAJA et. al., 2021;PENNISI & PERSICHETTI, 2018).…”