Seroprevalence of canine Leishmania infantum infection in the Mediterranean region and identification of risk factors: The example of North-Eastern and Pyrenean areas of Spain

Velez, Rita; Ballart, Cristina; Domenech, E.; Abràs, Alba; Fernández-Arévalo, Anna; Gomez, Sonia A.; Tebar, Sílvia; Muñoz, Clara; Cairó, Jordi J.; Gállego, Montserrat

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.10.015

Cited by 49 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The prevalence rates found in Catalonia and Galicia are in concordance with those obtained in a previous multicenter study performed in different areas of Spain [9]. Similarly, the rates found in Catalonia and Pyrenean areas are similar to those found in a recent study in the same area [28]. Furthermore, a study in the Basque Country detected a high prevalence using PCR for L. infantum DNA (28%, 44/156) among wild carnivores, strongly suggesting the presence of the parasite in this area [10].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Serological evaluation of selected vector-borne pathogens in owned dogs from northern Spain based on a multicenter study using a commercial test

et al. 2020

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Background: Environmental conditions in northern Spain allow the development of different arthropods involved in the transmission of significant canine vector-borne pathogens. The aim of the study was to systematically assess seroprevalence rates for Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Dirofilaria immitis and Borrelia burgdorferi, and risk factors in dogs from all regions of the north of Spain. Methods: A total of 556 dogs were included in this study between January 2017 and December 2018, belonging to 30 practices covering all regions in northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Navarra, Aragon and Catalonia). All practices were located in the north of every region. Blood samples were analyzed using the 4DX SNAP ® test (IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, Maine, USA) for the detection of D. immitis antigen and E. canis, B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. antibodies. Leishmania SNAP ® test (IDEXX Laboratories) was used for detection of L. infantum antibodies. Associations between prevalence of canine vector-borne pathogens, epidemiological and clinical signs data were statistically analyzed. Results: The overall prevalence rates were 8.99% for L. infantum, 1.26% for Anaplasma spp., 0.9% for E. canis, 0.72% for B. burgdorferi, and 0.18% for D. immitis. Globally, 11.33% of the dogs included in the study were positive to any tested vector-borne pathogen. Leishmania infantum seroprevalence was the highest and the only one detected in all the regions. Leishmania infantum seropositivity was associated with age > 10 years-old, outdoor access, anemia, fever, dermatological signs, lympadenomegaly, muscular atrophy, ocular signs and renal disease. Ehrlichia canis seropositivity was associated with the summer season and living in urban areas. Apathy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, anemia, fever and gastrointestinal clinical signs were also associated with E. canis antibody detection. Living in a rural area was also a risk factor for Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi seropositivity. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter survey performed in northern Spain assessing different canine vector-borne diseases from all regions. Results show the presence of autochthonous cases of these diseases. The vector-borne pathogens found in this study should be included in the differential diagnosis in dogs from some areas previously considered non-endemic for these pathogens.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Serological evaluation of selected vector-borne pathogens in owned dogs from northern Spain based on a multicenter study using a commercial test

et al. 2020

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“…In the present cross-sectional study, differences were detected in L. infantum infection seroprevalence according to animal age such that seroprevalences were significantly higher among younger dogs (< 1 year-old). As already reported, this could be related to an immature immune system in these dogs making them more vulnerable to infection in their first or second year of life [2,11,20,21]. No significant impact of sex on infection seroprevalence was detected.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Latest trends in Leishmania infantum infection in dogs in Spain, Part I: mapped seroprevalence and sand fly distributions

et al. 2020

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Background: This report describes L. infantum infection seroprevalence in dogs in Spain through data obtained from peer-reviewed literature and a cross-sectional serological survey assessing epidemiological and habitat variables as risk factors for infection. The study also provides preliminary sand fly species distribution data and indicates factors affecting their distribution and density.Methods: Three different studies were conducted in Spain: (i) a peer-reviewed literature seroprevalence survey ; (ii) a cross-sectional serological survey (2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016); and (iii) a preliminary entomological survey (2013)(2014). In the cross-sectional serological survey, 1739 dogs from 74 different locations including 25 Spanish provinces were tested for L. infantum by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (antibody titre ≥ 1:100). Seroprevalence of L. infantum infection was analysed by province and bioclimatic zone. Statistics were used to analyse relationships between several dog-and environment-related variables and L. infantum seroprevalence. In parallel, during 2013-2014, sand flies were collected across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands using CDC light traps to examine relationships between habitat-related factors and sand fly species densities (number of sand flies per trap per hour). Results:The literature review revealed that the provinces showing the highest seroprevalence were Balearic Islands (57.1%), Ourense (35.6%), Málaga (34.6%) and Cáceres (34.2%), and those showing the lowest seroprevalence were Vizcaya (0%), Cantabria (2.0%) and Álava (3.3%). In our survey, anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected in 176 of the 1739 dogs rendering a seroprevalence of 10.12%. Percentage seroprevalence distributions significantly varied among bioclimatic belts. Seropositivity for L. infantum was related to size (large breed dogs versus small) and were significantly higher in younger dogs (≤ 1 years-old). In the entomological survey, 676 sand flies of five species were captured: 562 (83.13%) Phlebotomus perniciosus; 64 (9.47%) Sergentomyia minuta; 38 (5.62%) P. ariasi: 6 (0.89%) P. sergenti; and 6 (0.89%) P. papatasi. Phlebotomus perniciosus showed a greater density in the thermo-Mediterranean than in the meso-Mediterranean zone. Densities of S. minuta and P. ariasi were significantly higher in rural habitats. Conclusions: This updated seroprevalence map of L. infantum infection in dogs in Spain defines non-endemic, hypoendemic, endemic and hyperendemic areas, and confirms P. perniciosus as the most abundant sand fly vector in Spain.

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“…The results of this research confirm not only the presence of leishmaniasis in the north, but its wide expansion throughout all the autonomous communities traditionally considered free of the disease, and, for the first time confirm its presence in some autonomous communities, such as La Rioja. In this study, the epidemiological map of the disease is completed, only studied in some provinces of the autonomous communities (i.e., Andalusia, Extremadura, Castile and Leon, Castilla la Mancha, Valencian Community, Catalonia, or Aragon) (9,15,17,(50)(51)(52)(53). Furthermore, for the first time, the seroprevalence of L. infantum in the Canary Islands is estimated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

et al. 2020

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Currently, climate change, modifications of landscapes and habitats due to human activities, as well as an increase in the movement of reservoirs and new species of competent vectors, have contributed to the spread of canine vector-borne diseases. These are mostly emerging and neglected diseases, some of them with zoonotic potential. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of four major canine vector-borne diseases (Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia canis) in Spain. Between September 2018 and February 2020, blood was sampled from 4643 client-owned dogs from 111 veterinary clinics from the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. All samples were tested for the detection of D. immitis antigens, and for antibodies against L. infantum, Anaplasma spp. and E. canis. Of the studied dogs, 22.14% were positive for one or several diseases while the prevalence was 6.25% (CI: 5.59-6.98) for D. immitis, and the seroprevalences were 10.36% (CI: 9.52-11.27) for L. infantum, 5.06% (CI: 4.47-5.73) for Anaplasma spp., and 4.26% (CI: 3.72-4.88) for E. canis. Co-infections by two and three vector-borne diseases were reported in 13% and 2% of the infected dogs, respectively. The studied vector-borne diseases are widely distributed throughout the Spanish geography, being observed and expanding northward in the case of D. immitis and L. infantum. The results point to an insufficiency of preventive measures to avoid the infection, and the need of the implementation of awareness campaigns among veterinarians and owners. Furthermore, a close collaboration between veterinarians, physicians and health authorities would be necessary for such zoonotic vector-borne diseases.

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Seroprevalence of canine Leishmania infantum infection in the Mediterranean region and identification of risk factors: The example of North-Eastern and Pyrenean areas of Spain

Cited by 49 publications

References 43 publications

Serological evaluation of selected vector-borne pathogens in owned dogs from northern Spain based on a multicenter study using a commercial test

Serological evaluation of selected vector-borne pathogens in owned dogs from northern Spain based on a multicenter study using a commercial test

Latest trends in Leishmania infantum infection in dogs in Spain, Part I: mapped seroprevalence and sand fly distributions

Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

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