Opportunistic feeding behaviour and Leishmania infantum detection in Phlebotomus perniciosus females collected in the human leishmaniasis focus of Madrid, Spain (2012–2018)

Abstract

Background An outbreak of human leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum has been registered in an urban area of southwestern Madrid, Spain, since 2010. Entomological surveys carried out in the municipalities of Fuenlabrada, Leganés, Getafe and Humanes de Madrid showed that Phlebotomus perniciosus is the only potential vector. In this work, an intensive molecular surveillance was performed in P. perniciosus females captured in the region between 2012 and 2018. Methodology/Principal findings A total of 1805 P. perniciosus females were analyzed for Leishmania infection, and 1189 of them also for bloodmeal identification. Eleven different species of vertebrate were detected by amplification and subsequent sequencing of the 359 bp cytb fragment. The most prevalent blood source identified was hare (n = 553, 46.51%), followed by rabbit (n = 262, 21.95%). Less frequent were cat (n = 45, 3.80%), human (n = 34, 2.90%), pig (n = 14, 1.20%), horse (n = 11, 0.93%), sheep (n = 3, 0.25%), rhea (n = 3, 0.25%), partridge (n = 1, 0.09%) and chicken (n = 1, 0.09%). The distribution of the blood meal sources varied between the different locations. Regarding L. infantum detection, PCR amplification of a fragment of kDNA, cpb gene and ITS1 region showed 162 positive specimens (8.97%). The highest infection rate was found in the municipality of Leganés (15.17%). Conclusions The results of this molecular survey in P. perniciosus, the only leishmaniasis vector in the outbreak occurred in southwestern Madrid region, showed its opportunistic blood-feeding behaviour, high infection rates and the differences between the different points. This study was an essential part of the intensive surveillance plan in the area and the results obtained have supported the implementation of control measures in the outbreak.

Is the Prevalence of Leishmania infantum Linked to Breeds in Dogs? Characterization of Seropositive Dogs in Ibiza

“…Akohundi et al, (2016) identified 53 different species of the Leishmania genera and more than 800 vectors capable of transmitting the infection stadium of the parasite (promastigote) to the host [ 6 ]. Although domestic dogs are the definitive hosts, different studies have documented L. infantum in other mammalian species, including horses, cats, pigs, wild rodents, hares, wild canids, and humans [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The host immunity response determines the infection severity of L. infantum , which can be mild, moderate, severe, or very severe [ 15 ].…”

Stable Episomal Transfectant Leishmania infantum Promastigotes Over-Expressing the DEVH1 RNA Helicase Gene Down-Regulate Parasite Survival Genes

“…L. infantum –HIV co-infection has been reported in these areas [ 1 , 2 ]. The main reservoirs of L. infantum are domestic dogs and wild canids, but hares have also been found to be involved as reservoirs in an active outbreak in central Spain [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Immunological and genomic characterization of Ibizan Hound dogs in an endemic Leishmania infantum region

“…This disease is caused by different species of the genus Leishmania , including L. infantum , the most prevalent causal agent of leishmaniosis in the Mediterranean area, which is transmitted by Phlebotomus spp. [ 6 ] .…”