Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Infection in Dogs from Portugal.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by is an important zoonosis in southwestern European countries where this disease is endemic, and dogs, as domestic animals in close contact with humans, are the reservoir hosts for the parasite. In Portugal, CanL is of relevant veterinary concern. The previous national study revealed an overall seroprevalence of 6.

Leishmania exposure in dogs from two endemic countries from New and Old Worlds (Brazil and Portugal): evaluation of three serological tests using Bayesian Latent Class Models.

Background: Zoonotic leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic in several countries of the Mediterranean Basin, Latin America, and Asia. Dogs are the main hosts and reservoirs of human infection. Thus, from a One Health perspective, early diagnosis of Leishmania infection in dogs is essential to control the dissemination of the parasite among other dogs and to humans.

1,2,4-Trioxolane and 1,2,4,5-Tetraoxane Endoperoxides against Old-World Parasites: In Vitro Activity and Mode of Action.

Leishmaniasis remains one of the ten Neglected Tropical Diseases with significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Current treatment of visceral leishmaniasis is difficult due to a lack of effective, non-toxic, and non-extensive medications. This study aimed to evaluate the selectivity of 12 synthetic endoperoxides (1,2,4-trioxolanes; 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes) and uncover their biochemical effects on parasites responsible for visceral leishmaniasis.

A conceptual model for understanding the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission risk in the Moroccan pre-Saharan area.

Leishmanioses are of public health concern in Morocco, mainly the Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) endemic in the Moroccan pre-Saharian area. Transmission of this disease depends on eco-epidemiological and socio-economic conditions. Therefore, a multivariable approach is required to delineate the risk and intensity of transmission.

infection in dogs from the metropolitan area of Lisbon, Portugal: prevalence, genotyping and associated risk factors.

Abstract: is a cosmopolitan enteric protozoan that affects a wide range of vertebrates, including humans and dogs. Genetic characterisation reveals eight different assemblages, with A and B having been found mainly in humans and several other animals, and thus considered potentially zoonotic, while C and D are adapted to infect dogs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of , their distribution into assemblages, and risk factors associated with their infection of dogs from the metropolitan area of Lisbon.

Leishmania infantum strains from cats are similar in biological properties to canine and human strains.

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis is a worldwide severe disease caused by Leishmania infantum, a protozoan that has phlebotomine sand flies as vectors and dogs as primary reservoir hosts. Over the last few decades, cats have been regarded as an indisputable piece within the ecological system in which L. infantum is maintained indefinitely.

Preliminary comparative analysis of the resolving power of COX1 and 16S-rDNA as molecular markers for the identification of ticks from Portugal.

The utility of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COX1) and 16S ribosomal DNA (16S-rDNA) sequence analyses as a complementary/alternative tool to classical taxonomy, for the identification of some of the most prevalent hard tick species from Portugal was evaluated using BOLD-ID (COX1 only), BLASTn and phylogenetic tree reconstruction based on multiple nucleotide sequence alignments. Both molecular markers proved suitable for identifying ticks to a species level, but specific aspects that limit their resolving power must be considered. Their accuracy of tick identification in all life stages and of the other tick species described in the South of Europe is required.

Potential of the natural products against leishmaniasis in Old World - a review of in-vitro studies.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease among the 10 most Neglected Tropical Diseases with diverse clinical manifestations caused by protozoan parasites of the genus. Around 80% of leishmaniasis cases are found in the Old World affecting populations mainly in low and middle-income countries. Its control relies mostly on chemotherapy which still presents many drawbacks.

Monitoring Leishmania infection and exposure to Phlebotomus perniciosus using minimal and non-invasive canine samples.

Background: In endemic areas of zoonotic leishmaniosis caused by L. infantum, early detection of Leishmania infection in dogs is essential to control the dissemination of the parasite to humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serological and/or molecular diagnostic performance of minimally and non-invasive samples (conjunctiva cells (CS) and peripheral blood (PB)) for monitoring Leishmania infection/exposure to Phlebotomus perniciosus salivary antigens in dogs at the beginning and the end of sand fly seasonal activity (May and October, respectively) and to assess associated risks factors.

An Unusual Case of Feline Leishmaniosis With Involvement of the Mammary Glands.

We report an unusual case of leishmaniosis with the involvement of mammary glands in an old cat with what seems to be a concurrent regressive feline leukemia virus infection. Leishmania donovani complex parasites were identified for the first time in inflammatory breast fluid during a clinical recurrence manifested about 4 years after the first diagnosis of feline leishmaniosis. Combined treatment with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate resulted in clinical cure of mammary lesion and a concurrent uveitis.

Phylogenetic insights on Leishmania detected in cats as revealed by nucleotide sequence analysis of multiple genetic markers.

Cats have been found infected by the same Leishmania species that also infect dogs and humans in both the New and Old Worlds, and their role as additional reservoir hosts of L. infantum has been previously suggested. Currently, the genetic diversity of Leishmania spp.

Antibody Response to Toscana Virus and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus in Cats Naturally Exposed to Phlebotomine Sand Fly Bites in Portugal.

Phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens such as spp. and phleboviruses are emerging threats to humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the exposure of cats from Portugal to Toscana virus (TOSV) and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) and assess the associated risk factors.

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between Leishmania infantum from dogs, humans and wildlife in south-east Spain.

Leishmania infantum causes human and canine leishmaniosis. The parasite, transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, infects species other than dogs and people, including wildlife, although their role as reservoirs of infection remains unknown for most species. Molecular typing of parasites to investigate genetic variability and evolutionary proximity can help understand transmission cycles and designing control strategies.

Detection of Rickettsia conorii israelensis DNA in the Blood of a Cat and a Dog From Southern Portugal.

Vector-borne rickettsioses represent emerging threats to public health worldwide. The aim of this work was the screening for the presence of Rickettsia spp. in the blood of dogs and cats from southern Portugal.

Antibody response to Phlebotomus perniciosus saliva in cats naturally exposed to phlebotomine sand flies is positively associated with Leishmania infection.

Background: Zoonotic leishmaniosis, caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, is a public and animal health problem in Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin. Several phlebotomine sand fly species from the subgenus Larroussius are vectors of L. infantum.

Improved phylogeny of brown algae Cystoseira (Fucales) from the Atlantic-Mediterranean region based on mitochondrial sequences.

Cystoseira is a common brown algal genus widely distributed throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions whose taxonomical assignment of specimens is often hampered by intra- and interspecific morphological variability. In this study, three mitochondrial regions, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI), 23S rDNA (23S), and 23S-tRNAVal intergenic spacer (mt-spacer) were used to analyse the phylogenetic relationships of 22 Cystoseira taxa (n = 93 samples). A total of 135 sequences (48 from COI, 43 from 23S and 44 from mt-spacer) were newly generated and analysed together with Cystoseira sequences (9 COI, 31 23S and 35 mt-spacer) from other authors.

Elucidating in vitro and in vivo phenotypic behaviour of L. infantum/L. major natural hybrids.

The clinical manifestation and course of Leishmania infections depend on factors such as species, virulence and host-immunity. Although trypanosomatids are considered to have clonal propagation, genetic hybridization has produced successful natural hybrid lineages. Hybrids displaying strong selective advantages may have an impact on pathogenesis and the eco-epidemiology of leishmaniasis.

Biomarkers Associated With Exposure, Infection, and Disease in Dogs.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan () species [syn. . (.

Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest a common Leishmania infantum transmission cycle in wildlife, dogs and humans associated to vector abundance in Southeast Spain.

Leishmania infantum infection was investigated in 202 wild carnivores, rodents and lagomorphs in Southeast Spain using a real-time PCR (rtPCR) in skin and organ samples, mostly spleen. Lesions compatible with leishmaniosis were not observed in any of the animals. Prevalence defined as the percentage of rtPCR-positive animals was 32% overall, and 45% in foxes (n = 69), 30% in rabbits (n = 80) and stone martens (n = 10), 19% in wood mice (n = 16), 0% in black rats (n = 10) and ranged between 0% and 100% in other minoritarian species including badgers, wild cats, wolves, raccoons, genets and hares.

Report of antileishmanial properties of Iberian macroalgae.

Here is reported the anti activity of 48 hexane, CHCl and MeOH extracts from 16 macroalgae collected on the Iberian Coast. Seven hexane and CHCl and extracts were active towards promastigotes (IC 29.8-101.

Evaluation of oxfendazole in the treatment of zoonotic Onchocerca lupi infection in dogs.

The genus Onchocerca encompasses parasitic nematodes including Onchocerca volvulus, causative agent of river blindness in humans, and the zoonotic Onchocerca lupi infecting dogs and cats. In dogs, O. lupi adult worms cause ocular lesions of various degrees while humans may bear the brunt of zoonotic onchocercosis with patients requiring neurosurgical intervention because of central nervous system localization of nematodes.

A pilot study on fingerprinting Leishmania species from the Old World using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Leishmania species are protozoan parasites and the causative agents of leishmaniasis, a vector borne disease that imposes a large health burden on individuals living mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Different Leishmania species are responsible for the distinct clinical patterns, such as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis, with the latter being potentially fatal if left untreated. For this reason, it is important to perform correct species identification and differentiation.

Tick-borne bacteria and protozoa detected in ticks collected from domestic animals and wildlife in central and southern Portugal.

Ticks are vectors of many human and animal pathogens. The aim of this study was to screen bacteria and protozoa from ticks infesting domestic animals and wildlife collected in central and southern Portugal. A total of 593 ticks, comprising 465 (78.

Evaluation of four molecular methods to detect Leishmania infection in dogs.

Background: Canine leishmaniasis, a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum vectored by phlebotomine sand flies, is considered a relevant veterinary and public health problem in various countries, namely in the Mediterranean basin and Brazil, where dogs are considered the main reservoir hosts. Not only diseased dogs but also those subclinically infected play a relevant role in the transmission of L. infantum to vectors; therefore, early diagnosis is essential, under both a clinical and an epidemiological perspective.

Serological association between Leishmania infantum and sand fly fever Sicilian (but not Toscana) virus in sheltered dogs from southern Portugal.

Background: Phlebotomine sand fly-borne diseases such as leishmanioses and phleboviruses are emerging threats to animal and public health. Canine leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic zoonosis in Portugal. Antibodies to Toscana virus (TOSV) and sand fly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) were also reported in dogs from the south of the country.