Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum: Integration of human, animal and environmental data through a One Health approach.

The aim of this study was to explore Leishmania infantum epidemiology through a One Health approach that promotes a better estimation of leishmaniasis burden and a deeper understanding of the spatial distribution of the key actors of the parasite life cycle (vectors, reservoirs and humans). We conducted a 14-year mixed retrospective and prospective study of leishmaniasis cases in an endemic area in southern Spain (Granada province), to estimate the human incidence and its association with the vector presence, cryptic leishmaniasis rates and canine leishmaniasis prevalence. We found an annual linear increase in the incidence that cannot be fully explained by active case surveillance and the improvement of PCR diagnostic techniques.

Effectiveness of the sesquiterpene (-)-α-bisabolol in dogs with naturally acquired canine leishmaniosis: an exploratory clinical trial.

The use of natural products is a promising approach for treating visceral leishmaniosis. (-)-α-Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene that have been proved active in vivo on Leishmania infantum-infected mice without showing toxicity. A single-centre, parallel-group, randomized, exploratory study was designed to assess its efficacy in a canine leishmaniosis model involving naturally infected dogs.

Hair parasite load as a new biomarker for monitoring treatment response in canine leishmaniasis.

Canine leishmaniasis treatment focuses on the reduction of parasite load, the clinical improvement of the animal, and the avoidance of relapses, in a scenario where the definitive parasite clearance is not achievable. Therefore, monitoring is crucial during the treatment of this disease. Quantitative PCR has been shown as an ideal tool for the treatment monitoring when quantifying parasite load in target organs such as lymph node or bone marrow, tissues that are too invasive for regular evaluation.

Epidemiological implications of the use of various methods for the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis in dogs with different characteristics and in differing prevalence scenarios.

Our aim was to establish the influence on the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) of the following: (1) the use of different diagnostic techniques; (2) different positivity thresholds; (3) selection of animals either at random from a population or focused on symptomatic individuals, (4) the function which the dog performs; and (5) scenarios with differing epidemiological characteristic. Three groups of dogs were analysed (416 sampled at random from an endemic area, 71 with symptomatology compatible with CanL and 15 from a non-endemic area) using three serological techniques (indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), Kalazar Detect(TM) and Q Letitest ELISA) and a PCR-ELISA. The diagnostic technique had a considerable influence on the CanL prevalence value obtained.

Canine leishmaniasis in southeastern Spain.

To examine prevalence changes and risk factors for canine leishmaniasis, we conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study and a survey during April-June 2006. Seroprevalence had increased at the meso-Mediterranean bioclimatic level over 22 years. Risk was highest for dogs that were older, large, lived outside, and lived at the meso-Mediterranean level.

Diagnosis of infections with Leishmania infantum using PCR-ELISA.

On the basis of partial amplification of a cloned fragment of kDNA of Leishmania infantum which is specific for this species, we developed a PCR-ELISA technique which avoids the problems associated with classical diagnostic techniques. This technique was tested on 33 L. infantum strains from 19 different zymodemes, which were recognized equally.

Changes in antibody titres against Leishmania infantum in naturally infected dogs in southern Spain.

Monthly serological follow-up of the antibody titres against Leishmania infantum in hunting dogs in rural southern Spain was carried out during the transmission period (from April to October in 1996). Titres > or = 160 were regarded as indicating disease, while lower positive tires were also recorded as 'seropositive'. Over this period, a significant (p < 0.

Leishmaniasis eco-epidemiology in the Alpujarra region (Granada Province, southern Spain).

An eco-epidemiological study was carried out in the region of the Alpujarras (southern Spain, Granada province). Nine villages were chosen at random in 5 bioclimatic zones. A study of leishmaniasis in the canine and human populations, was carried out concentrating especially upon schoolchildren.

Isoenzymatic characterization of the etiologic agent of canine leishmaniasis in the Granada region of southern Spain.

Sixty-four strains of Leishmania of canine origin, 61 visceral and three cutaneous, were isoenzymatically examined. These were collected from 23 sites in the Granada region in southern Spain. Starch gel was used in electrophoresis and a total of 15 enzymes were studied.

Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead, 1911, infection by various zymodemes of the Leishmania infantum complex in the Granada province (southern Spain).

This study presents the results of the isoenzymatic characterization of 21 strains of Leishmania of sandfly (P. perniciosus) origin from the Torvizcón area. It forms an integral part of a larger eco-epidemiological study of the Alpujarras (Granada province, Southern Spain).

On Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead, 1911 (Diptera, Phlebotomidae) in the Province of Almeria in southeastern Spain.

Several studies of Phlebotomine sandflies in the province of Almería (Southeastern Spain) showed Phlebotomus perniciosus to be the most abundant and wide-ranging number of the genus Phlebotomus. Samples collected during an entire year showed a population curve characterized by two peaks. Morphological examinations of males revealed marked variability to the peneane valves, and the existence od specimens with intermediate features between P.