scholarly journals Molecular and serological evaluation of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in dogs in a rural area of Fars province, southern Iran, as a source of Leishmania infantum infection

Author(s):  
Laleh Najafi ◽  
Mostafa Omidian ◽  
Zahra Rezaei ◽  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Fariba Ghorbani ◽  
...  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Layegh Gigloo ◽  
Bahador Sarkari ◽  
Zahra Rezaei ◽  
Gholam Reza Hatam ◽  
Mohammad Hassan Davami

The current study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in asymptomatic healthy children in a rural area of Fars province, Southern Iran. Blood samples were taken from 617 asymptomatic healthy children and serum samples along with buffy coat were separated from the blood. The serum samples were assessed for antibodies againstLeishmania infantumby an indirect ELISA and the buffy coats were tested for the presence ofL. infantumDNA by molecular method. Of the 617 recruited children, 297 (48.1%) were female and 317 (51.4%) were male. Anti-Leishmaniaantibodies were detected in 17 (2.8%) of the children. From those 17 seropositive cases, 5 (29.4%) were male and 12 (70.6%) cases were female. Children aged 5–8 years had the highest seroprevalence rate; however, no associations were found between seropositivity toLeishmaniaand gender or age of the children. Moreover,L. infantumDNA was detected in buffy coat of 8 (1.3%) of 617 children. Three of the PCR-positive cases were seropositive whereas 14 of seropositive subjects (82.3%) were PCR-negative. Findings of the current study revealed a considerable subclinical leishmanial infection in children in the studied rural area in the south of Iran. Results of the current study could be used for surveillance, prevention, and control of VL in the area.


2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jafari Shourijeh ◽  
A. Tamadon ◽  
M. Fakhar ◽  
M. H. Motazedian ◽  
A. Bigham ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0009947
Author(s):  
Ifhem Chelbi ◽  
Khouloud Maghraoui ◽  
Sami Zhioua ◽  
Saifedine Cherni ◽  
Imen Labidi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0009647
Author(s):  
Ifhem Chelbi ◽  
Khouloud Maghraoui ◽  
Sami Zhioua ◽  
Saifedine Cherni ◽  
Imen Labidi ◽  
...  

Background The sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, etiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Western Mediterranean basin. Dogs are the main reservoir host of this disease. The main objective of this study was to determine, under both laboratory and field conditions, if dogs infected with L. infantum, were more attractive to female P. perniciosus than uninfected dogs. Methodology/Principal findings We carried out a series of host choice experiments and found that infected dogs were significantly more attractive to P. perniciosus than uninfected dogs in the laboratory as well as in the field. Significantly more P. perniciosus fed on infected dogs than on uninfected dogs. However, the fecundity of P. perniciosus fed on infected dogs was adversely impacted compared to uninfected dogs by lowering the number of laid eggs. Phlebotomus perfiliewi, the second most abundant sand fly species in the field site and a competent vector of L. infantum had similar trends of attractivity as P. perniciosus toward infected dogs under field conditions. Conclusions The results strongly suggest that L. infantum causes physiological changes in the reservoir host which lead to the host becoming more attractive to both male and female P. perniciosus. These changes are likely to improve the chance of successful transmission because of increased contact with infected hosts and therefore, infected dogs should be particularly targeted in the control of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in North Africa.


2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginaldo Peçanha Brazil ◽  
Michelle Cristina de Queiroz Pontes ◽  
Wagner Lança Passos ◽  
Andressa Alencaste Fuzari ◽  
Beatriz Gomes Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi in the Americas. METHODS: Phlebotomine captures were conducted during 2008 and 2009 in a rural area endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis located in the municipality of Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: Among other species captured, we observed the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the occurrence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in this region, demonstrating the potential risk of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in the coastal area of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, active vigilance by all municipalities in the area is necessary.


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