Canine Leishmania spp. infection in two distinct foci of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum and L. major, respectively, are endemic in Tunisia. The aim of the study was to assess canine Leishmania spp. infection prevalence as well as to identify the Leishmania species involved in two well-documented and geographically distinct VL and ZCL foci. One hundred seventy-six dogs were randomly recruited in the VL focus of Sbikha-Zaghouan (n = 100) and the ZCL focus of Echrarda-Nasrallah (n = 76). Physical examination and blood collection were systemically performed. Needle aspiration was done in case of lymph node (LN) enlargement. All sera were tested by ELISA. kDNA RT-PCR was performed on DNA extracts from (i) buffy coats of seropositive dogs and (ii) LN aspirates. Leishmania species identification was done by ITS1 PCR-sequencing. Thirty-three dogs (18.8%) were infected by Leishmania; 30 having anti-Leishmania antibodies and 3 were seronegative dogs with Leishmania DNA in LN aspirates. Prevalence of infection was significantly higher in VL foci than in ZCL foci (27% versus 7.9%, p = 0.002). Leishmania species was identified in 11 dogs and corresponded to L. infantum. Combination of serology and qPCR on LN aspirates seems to be the best option for canine leishmaniasis diagnosis. Infection is more frequent in VL foci and L. infantum is the only identified species.

Simultaneous Detection of Parasitic Vector Borne Diseases: A Robust Cross-Sectional Survey in Hunting, Stray and Sheep Dogs in a Mediterranean Area.

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are a spectrum of diseases caused by different pathogens transmitted by blood-feeding arthropoda. The aim of this study was to investigate leishmaniosis, babesiosis, and filarial infections in dogs with three different lifestyles (hunting, stray, and sheep dogs) in Molise, the smallest region of southern Italy, where data available about these parasitic infections are very scant. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 318 hunting, 180 stray, and 218 sheep dogs. Immunofluorescence antibody test, blood smear, molecular techniques and Knott's test were performed to detect Leishmania infantum, Babesia spp. and filarial nematodes. Association between positivity to CVBDs, age, sex, and living conditions was evaluated. An overall prevalence of 12.3% of CVBDs caused by L. infantum (10.2%), B. canis canis (0.3%) and filarial nematodes (2.1%) was detected. Three dogs showed co-infections of L. infantum and B. c. canis (0.1%) or Acanthocheilonema reconditum (0.3%). A significantly association was found only for filarial infection in hunting dogs. These parasites were reported also in dogs without clinical signs. It is very important to plan effective control programs for CVBDs to guarantee not only the health and welfare of pets, but also the public safety, because some of mentioned parasites are of zoonotic importance.