RESUMO
The detection of atypical Kinetoplastida in vertebrate hosts and vectors might suggest unexpected host-parasite contacts. Aside to major vectors of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Italy (e.g. Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi), the sand fly fauna also includes Sergentomyia minuta, herpetophilic and proven vector of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae, in which records of blood meal on mammals and detection of L. infantum DNA are increasing. This study was conducted in Central Italy aiming to molecularly detect potential atypical Leishmania host-vector contacts. Detection of Leishmania spp. DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (SSU rRNA, ITS1 targets) on field-collected sand fly females (N = 344), blood samples from humans (N = 185) and dogs (N = 125). Blood meal identification was also performed on engorged sand flies. Leishmania spp. DNA was found in 13.1% sand flies, 3.7% humans and 14.4% dogs. Sequence analysis identified L. infantum in S. minuta (4.4%), P. perniciosus (9.1%), humans (2.2%) and dogs (14.4%). Leishmania tarentolae was detected in S. minuta (12.6%), P. perfiliewi (6.6%) and human (1.6%) samples. Of 28 S. minuta examined for blood meal, 3.6 and 21.4% scored positive for human and lizard DNA, respectively. These results indicate the importance of one-health approach to explore new potential routes of transmission of leishmaniasis involving S. minuta.
Assuntos
Leishmania , Leishmaniose , Psychodidae/parasitologia , Animais , DNA de Protozoário , DNA Espaçador Ribossômico/genética , Cães/parasitologia , Comportamento Alimentar , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Humanos , Insetos Vetores/parasitologia , Leishmania/classificação , Leishmania/genética , Leishmania/isolamento & purificação , Leishmania infantum/classificação , Leishmania infantum/genética , Leishmania infantum/isolamento & purificação , Leishmaniose/parasitologia , Leishmaniose/transmissão , Leishmaniose/veterinária , Lagartos/parasitologia , Saúde Única , Patologia Molecular , RNA Ribossômico 18S/genética , Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores/parasitologia , Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores/transmissão , Zoonoses/parasitologia , Zoonoses/transmissãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The latest European Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak occurred in Italy in 2017, in the municipalities of Anzio and Rome (Lazio Region), with a secondary outbreak in the Calabrian Region. Most CHIKV infections are symptomatic but about 15% of people who acquire the infection may be asymptomatic. A retrospective study was conducted with the aim of assessing the prevalence of recent/ongoing CHIKV infections on the blood donor population in the Lazio Region, during the 2017 outbreak (including in the period before it was detected). METHODS: The study was conducted on 4595 plasma samples from donors who donated in 14 different Blood Establishments in the Lazio Region, in the period June-November 2017. A total of 389 of these samples were collected in provinces not affected by the outbreak and were used as negative controls. All samples were tested for IgM detection by the use of an ELISA test, and positive samples were tested for confirmation through the use of a PRNT. Molecular tests were performed on sera that were found to be IgM-positive or borderline. RESULTS: A total of 41 (0.89%) blood donors tested positive for IgM. None of these positive IgM ELISA results was confirmed either by PRNT or by molecular tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown no evidence of recent/ongoing CHIKV infection in blood donors of the affected area.