The first report of autochthonous non-vector-borne transmission of canine leishmaniosis in the Nordic countries

Abstract

BackgroundLeishmania spp. are zoonotic protozoans that infect humans and other mammals such as dogs. The most significant causative species in dogs is L. infantum. In dogs, leishmaniosis is a potentially progressive, chronic disease with varying clinical outcomes. Autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis have not previously been reported in the Nordic countries.ResultsIn this report we describe the first diagnosed autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis in Finland, in which transmission via a suitable arthropod vector was absent. Two Finnish boxers that had never been in endemic areas of Leishmania spp., had never received blood transfusions, nor were infested by ectoparasites were diagnosed with leishmaniosis. Another dog was found with elevated Leishmania antibodies. A fourth boxer dog that had been in Spain was considered to be the source of these infections. Transmission occurred through biting wounds and semen, however, transplacental infection in one of the dogs could not be ruled out.Two of the infected dogs developed a serious disease and were euthanized and sent for necropsy. The first one suffered from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and the second one had a chronic systemic disease. Leishmania sp. was detected from tissues by PCR and/or IHC in both dogs. The third infected dog was serologically positive for Leishmania sp. but remained free of clinical signs.ConclusionsThis case report shows that imported Leishmania-infected dogs may pose a risk for domestic dogs, even without suitable local arthropod vectors.

Spread of Leishmania infantum in Europe with dog travelling

“…Despite the fact that the risk of autochthonous transmission from infected dogs in the absence of sand fly vectors is low, infection has been documented in dogs with no travel history from the Netherlands, northern France, Switzerland (Slappendel, 1988;Díaz-Espiñeira and Slappendel, 1997;Teske et al, 2002), Austria (Kollaritsch et al, 1989), Germany (Gothe, 1991;Naucke and Lorentz, 2012), the United Kingdonm (Shaw et al, 2009), Hungary (Tánczos et al, 2012), Romania (Mircean et al, 2014) and Finland (Karkamo et al, 2014), but it remains questionable if transmission was due to vectors, transplacental transmission or even by direct contact. Whether autochthonous or imported cases, CanL is often diagnosed in non-endemic countries and, therefore, there is a need for clear, locally relevant guidelines directing diagnosis, treatment and management of suspected cases (Teske et al, 2002;Mattin et al, 2013).…”

Feline leishmaniosis: Is the cat a small dog?

“…Non-vectorial transmission ways of CanL are now well known and responsible for autochtonous cases in non-endemic areas (Solano-Gallego et al, 2009;Karkamo et al, 2014;Naucke et al, 2016;Svobodova et al, 2017) but similar information about FeL is lacking. However, blood transfusion could be a source of infection in cats as it is proven in dogs and humans.…”

Retrospective Analysis of Canine Vector-borne Diseases (CVBD) in Germany with Emphasis on the Endemicity and Risk Factors of Leishmaniosis

“…Possible mechanisms include breeding, vertical transmission, blood transfusion, and possible biting (e.g. Karkamo et al 2014). Vectors, such as sand flies, could also be introduced accidentally to non-endemic areas via travel equipment.…”