Molecular diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi/Leishmania spp. coinfection in domestic, peridomestic and wild mammals of Venezuelan co-endemic areas

Auckland

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

et al. 2021

Surveillance of U.S. domestic dogs for exposure to vector-borne pathogens can identify regions of transmission that are relevant for human and animal health. Working dogs with high levels of outdoor exposure may be sensitive indicators of local risk, owing to increased contact with vectors. We randomly selected 476 high-value government working dogs from 40 states to determine the prevalence of infection with Dirofilaria immitis and Rickettsia spp., and exposure to Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Borrelia burgdorferi, and identify risk factors for positivity. Additionally, we tested 100 of these dogs from Texas for Leishmania spp. where sand fly vectors occur. Previously published Trypanosoma cruzi infection data on these dogs were used to identify coinfection or co-exposures. Infection prevalence was 0.84% for D. immitis, and all dogs were negative for Rickettsia spp. DNA. Seroprevalence of each pathogen was: B. burgdorferi 0.84%, Ehrlichia spp. 1.3%, Anaplasma spp. 1.5%, Leishmania spp. 2.0%, and T. cruzi 12.2%. Coinfection or co-exposure took place in four (0.84%) dogs. In bivariable analysis, we found that D. immitis-positive and Ehrlichia-seropositive dogs were significantly older than negative dogs ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. was significantly higher among dogs in the Northeast United States relative to other areas of the country (4.7% vs. £ 1.4%; p = 0.041). Although autochthonous Leishmania infections have been described in the United States, the cases reported herein may represent imported Leishmania infection. Most federal working dogs are bred in Europe, where the parasite is endemic and congenitally transmitted. Serological cross-reaction between T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. complicates diagnosis. In this study, the use of multiple testing strategies in a comparative complementary manner provided evidence for these dogs' true exposures. Comprehensive surveillance for vector-borne pathogens in dogs can improve clinician awareness and target prevention and treatment in a One Health manner.

Section: Posmentioning

confidence: 95%

Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Pathogens Among U.S. Government Working Dogs

Auckland

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

et al. 2021

“…The big-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) was positive at a low percentage in Brazil by PCR, spleen imprints and serology (rK39), and one of the animals displayed spleen enlargement, but no other clinical signs were recorded from the rest [102]. In Brazil as well as in Colombia and Venezuela, the common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) was widely analysed [102][103][104][105][106][107]. Two studies in Colombia demonstrated the transmission of isolates from common opossums to hamster, highlighting their role as reservoirs of L. infantum [105,106].…”

Section: Infantum In the Americasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two studies in Colombia demonstrated the transmission of isolates from common opossums to hamster, highlighting their role as reservoirs of L. infantum [105,106]. The parasite was found in several tissues employing PCR (kDNA, SSU and ITS1) followed by hybridisation or RFLP [38,103,107]. Two studies in Brazil employed serology and PCR simultaneously.…”

Section: Infantum In the Americasmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Systematic Review (1990–2021) of Wild Animals Infected with Zoonotic Leishmania

2021

Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by several species of Leishmania that affect humans and many domestic and wild animals with a worldwide distribution. The objectives of this review are to identify wild animals naturally infected with zoonotic Leishmania species as well as the organs infected, methods employed for detection and percentage of infection. A literature search starting from 1990 was performed following the PRISMA methodology and 161 reports were included. One hundred and eighty-nine species from ten orders (i.e., Carnivora, Chiroptera, Cingulata, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Lagomorpha, Eulipotyphla, Pilosa, Primates and Rodentia) were reported to be infected, and a few animals were classified only at the genus level. An exhaustive list of species; diagnostic techniques, including PCR targets; infected organs; number of animals explored and percentage of positives are presented. L. infantum infection was described in 98 wild species and L. (Viania) spp. in 52 wild animals, while L. mexicana, L. amazonensis, L. major and L. tropica were described in fewer than 32 animals each. During the last decade, intense research revealed new hosts within Chiroptera and Lagomorpha. Carnivores and rodents were the most relevant hosts for L. infantum and L. (Viannia) spp., with some species showing lesions, although in most of the studies clinical signs were not reported.

“…In 2007, Mendes et al (2007) screened 1100 cases of human blood from Amazonians, and 11 cases (1%) had amplified both Leishmania braziliensis and T. cruzi DNA, and seven cases (0.6%) had amplified L. infantum and T. cruzi DNA [186]. One study used PCR to screen dog blood samples from Venezuela and found 18/283 (6.4%) samples amplified Leishmania and T. cruzi DNA [187]. Canine co-infection with Leishmania and T. cruzi is possible.…”

Section: Diagnostic Challenges and Immunologic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiologic, Clinical and Immunological Consequences of Co-Infections during Canine Leishmaniosis

Beasley

Pessôa‐Pereira

Scorza

et al. 2021

Animals

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne, parasitic disease. CanL is endemic in the Mediterranean basin and South America but also found in Northern Africa, Asia, and the U.S. Regions with both competent sand fly vectors and L. infantum parasites are also endemic for additional infectious diseases that could cause co-infections in dogs. Growing evidence indicates that co-infections can impact immunologic responses and thus the clinical course of both CanL and the comorbid disease(s). The aim for this review is to summarize epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic factors contributing to eight primary co-infections reported with CanL: Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Paracoccidioides braziliensis. Co-infection causes mechanistic differences in immunity which can alter diagnostics, therapeutic management, and prognosis of dogs with CanL. More research is needed to further explore immunomodulation during CanL co-infection(s) and their clinical impact.