Dogs may carry Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major in their blood circulation: a molecular and hematological study.
BMC Vet Res
; 20(1): 448, 2024 Oct 04.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39363300
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Dogs may be infected with species of Leishmania parasites that are disseminated through blood circulation and invade the internal organs. In this study, we aim to detect the parasite in the blood of dogs using the PCR technique. The present work was performed from February 2022 to May 2023 in Fars Province, southern Iran, where the disease is endemic.RESULTS:
In total, 7(5.1%) out of 135 blood samples, six were identified as Leishmania tropica and one as Leishmania major. We found no trace of Leishmania infantum, which is always known for visceral infection. In addition, no sign of cutaneous lesions or a significant disease was seen in the animals infected with both species. Of 48 dogs with anemia, two were Leishmania positive. The mean value of hematological parameters in the infected dogs was within the normal range except for a significant reduction in the platelet measures (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:
Our data revealed that both Leishmania species, tropica and major, may manifest as viscerotropic leishmaniasis. More investigations are needed to understand the conditions under which these species choose the type of infection. Moreover, our data emphasize the role of asymptomatic dogs in carrying these parasites, a crucial factor in spreading the disease.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Leishmania tropica
/
Leishmania major
/
Dog Diseases
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Vet Res
Journal subject:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Iran