Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum, filariae and Wolbachia spp. in dogs from southern Portugal

Maia, Carla; Altet, Laura; Serrano, Lorena; Cristóvão, José Manuel; Tabar, María‐Dolores; Francino, Olga; Cardoso, Luı́s; Campino, Lenea; Roura, Xavier

doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1452-2

Cited by 27 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Moreover, in heartworm infected dogs and cats, these bacteria are implemented in pulmonary disease [24,25]. Clarifying these bacteria by antibiotic treatments induces infertility and death of filarioid worms and has reduced the incidence of inflammatory pulmonary lesions and thrombi associated with heartworm disease, providing an effective treatment strategy for the control and eradication of the filarial infection in human and dogs [22,26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Detection of Canine Vector-Borne Filariasis and Their Wolbachia Endosymbionts in French Guiana

et al. 2020

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In French Guiana, canine heartworm disease is well known, but the diversity of filarial parasites of dogs remains largely unknown. A total of 98 canine blood samples from Cayenne and Kourou were assessed by a blood wet mount preparation, heartworm antigen test and molecular exploration of filarioid and Wolbachia DNAs, followed by a multiplex species-specific qPCR’s identification and a subsequent sequencing analysis. Thereafter, a phylogeny based on maximum likelihood was carried out to facilitate specific identification. Five dogs were microfilaremic. Heartworm antigens were detected in 15 (15.3%) dogs. Of these, six (6.1%) were considered as occult infections as neither microfilariae nor Dirofilaria immitis DNA were detected. The 11 (11.2%) D. immitis isolates corresponded to a low virulent strain. Six of the D. immitis isolates were positive for Wolbachia endosymbionts of D. immitis belonging to the clade C DNA. Acanthocheilonema reconditum DNA was detected in 3 (3.1%) samples. Of these latter, one was found co-infected with the Brugia sp. genotype and the DNA of the clade D of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia species. This latter was also detected in two filarioid DNA-free samples. Finally, two samples were positive for Cercopithifilaria bainae genotype, which is distinct from those identified in Europe. The present study highlights the urgent need to implement chemoprophylaxis associated with anti-Wolbachia drugs to control these potential zoonoses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These features constitute make its a suitable target for the diagnosis of filarial infection, especially when occurring in dead-end hosts as is the case of D. immitis in humans and cats [24,25]. Recent studies showed that the combined detection of Wolbachia and filarioid DNA improves the diagnosis of these infections [26,27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Canine Vector-Borne Filariasis and Their Wolbachia Endosymbionts in French Guiana

et al. 2020

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“…Changes in vector presence, abundance and activity, as well as increased movements of animals from endemic areas into free territories and vice versa , seem to play key roles in this change in epidemiology [ 16 ]. As a result, the current distribution of CanL and canine heartworm disease (CHD) due to D. immitis is overlapping in several European countries, including Albania [ 17 ], Greece [ 18 ], France [ 2 ], Italy [ 3 ], Portugal [ 13 , 14 ] and Spain [ 19 ]. This means that dogs living in these areas are at risk for both diseases during at least 4–6 months per year on average, which corresponds to the period of activity of the respective vectors (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Six-month field efficacy and safety of the combined treatment of dogs with Frontline Tri-Act® and NexGard Spectra®

et al. 2018

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BackgroundSafety and efficacy of the combined monthly use of spot-on fipronil 6.76% w/v / permethrin 50.48% w/v (Frontline Tri-Act®) and chewable tablets of afoxolaner 1.9% w/w / milbemycin oxime 0.4% w/w (NexGard Spectra®) in dogs was evaluated in a field study over a period of 6 months.MethodsForty-one healthy dogs living in highly endemic area for canine leishmaniosis and other canine vector borne diseases (VBD) were included in the study at the beginning of the Leishmania transmission season. Sixteen dogs were pet dogs living each in a single household; twenty-five dogs were hunting dogs living in three kennels. At inclusion, the dogs were ELISA (rapid test) negative for antibodies to Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and for antigens of Dirofilaria. The dogs were also negative for blood microfilariae at the Knott’s test, and no clinical or haematological abnormalities were observed. Of the included dogs, six hunting, apparently healthy, dogs were ELISA (rapid test) positive to Leishmania, and some were naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes (58.5%) and/or infested by fleas (58.5%) and ticks (9.8%). All the included dogs were treated at Days 0, 28, 56, 84, 112 and 140, and followed-up for efficacy until the study end (Day 168).ResultsNo adverse events related to the two products, nor skin reactions, general signs, or changes in the haematological profile, were observed during the study. At Day 14, anthelminthic efficacy was 100% for Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Capillaria aerophila, while few hunting dogs were still shedding eggs of Trichuris vulpis (1/25 hunting dog) and Ancylostomatidae (9/25 hunting dogs). All pet dogs were nematode free at the end of the study. Hunting dogs were free of roundworms and whipworms. Twenty-four hours after the first treatment, 95.8% of the ectoparasite infested dogs were free from fleas and ticks. Ectoparasites were significantly controlled during the 6-month study period, with 100% efficacy on both fleas and ticks from Day 56 to Day 168. Blood and serum samples collected on Day 168 were tested for vector-borne pathogens using same methods of the inclusion and no new seroconversions or circulating blood microfilariae were observed.ConclusionsConcomitant use of Frontline Tri-Act® and NexGard Spectra® in dogs for six months was well tolerated. The combination was effective in controlling fleas, ticks, gastro-intestinal nematodes, and neither new seroconversion to the tested vector-borne pathogens nor blood microfilariae were detected in treated dogs at the end of the study.

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“…In addition, epidemiological studies have so far revealed a limited number of cases of co-infection in dogs, with Dirofilaria and Leishmania ( Medkour et al, 2020;Gizzarelli et al, 2019). On the other hand, in dogs co-infected by D. immitis and L. infantum the presence of circulating Wolbachia DNA negatively correlates with clinical signs of leishmaniasis (Maia et al, 2016). We could thus speculate that in dogs infected by the blood-dwelling filaria D. immitis the continuous release of WSP-loaded Wolbachia into the blood stream could modulate the immunity of the host, protecting it from Leishmania infection (even though chronic filarial infections in humans is also associated with macrophage tolerization; e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Boosting innate immunity:Asaiabacteria expressing a protein fromWolbachiadetermine macrophage activation and killing ofLeishmania

Varotto-Boccazzi

Epis

Arnoldi

et al. 2020

Preprint

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AbstractLeishmaniases are severe vector-borne diseases affecting humans and animals, caused by Leishmania protozoans. Immune polarization plays a major role in determining the outcome of Leishmania infections: hosts displaying M1-polarized macrophages are protected, while those biased on the M2 side acquire a chronic infection, that could develop into an overt and potentially deadly disease. The identification of the factors involved in M1 polarization is essential for the design of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions, including vaccines. Infection by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis could be one of the factors that interfere with leishmaniasis in dogs. Indeed, filarial nematodes induce a partial skew of the immune response towards M1, likely caused by their bacterial endosymbionts, Wolbachia. Here we have examined the potential of AsaiaWSP, a bacterium engineered for the expression of the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), as an inductor of M1 macrophage activation and Leishmania killing. Macrophages stimulated with AsaiaWSP displayed a strong leishmanicidal activity, comparable to that determined by the choice-drug amphotericin B. Additionally, AsaiaWSP determined the expression of markers of classical macrophage activation, including M1 cytokines, ROS and NO, and an increase in phagocytosis activity. Asaia not expressing WSP also induced macrophage activation, although at a lower extent compared to AsaiaWSP. In summary, our study, while providing a strong evidence for the immune-stimulating properties of Wolbachia, highlights the translational potential of AsaiaWSP in the areas of the immune-prophylaxis and therapy of leishmaniases, as well as of other diseases that could be subverted by M1 macrophage activation.

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Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum, filariae and Wolbachia spp. in dogs from southern Portugal

Cited by 27 publications

References 25 publications

Detection of Canine Vector-Borne Filariasis and Their Wolbachia Endosymbionts in French Guiana

Detection of Canine Vector-Borne Filariasis and Their Wolbachia Endosymbionts in French Guiana

Six-month field efficacy and safety of the combined treatment of dogs with Frontline Tri-Act® and NexGard Spectra®

Boosting innate immunity:Asaiabacteria expressing a protein fromWolbachiadetermine macrophage activation and killing ofLeishmania

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