Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leishmaniosis in dogs and sand flies in Italian Alps region
By Morosetti, Giulia et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2020·Servizio veterinario aziendale, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine leishmaniosis in the Italian northeastern Alps: A survey to assess serological prevalence in dogs and distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, Italy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A survey in the northeastern Alps of Italy found that 13.8% of 457 dogs tested positive for leishmaniosis, a disease caused by the Leishmania parasite. Most of these dogs had low levels of antibodies, indicating limited exposure to the parasite. However, two dogs showed higher antibody levels, and their infections were confirmed through blood tests. The study also monitored sand flies, which can spread the disease, but only a few were found, suggesting that while leishmaniosis is present, the risk of transmission remains low. Pet owners in the area should stay informed and watch for any changes in their pets' health.
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Abstract
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol (APB), located in the northernmost territory of the Italian eastern Alps, is still considered non-endemic for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) despite clinical cases being observed and a competent Leishmania infantum vector (Phlebotomus perniciosus) having been recorded since 2008. A serological survey of leishmaniosis among a randomly-selected subpopulation of registered owned dogs was carried in 2018, followed by entomological investigations performed in 2019 and driven by canine survey results. A total of 457 resident dogs from all over the APB territory were examined through IFAT for antibodies against L.infantum, of which 63 (13.8%) tested positive. Thirty-five seropositive cases (7.7%) were considered autochthonous to APB, i.e. dogs born and lived in the province, or imported dogs with no travel history in the past 5 years. Most of these animals showed an antibody titre at the threshold level of 1:40, suggesting a low degree of parasite transmission/contacts. In 2 autochthonous cases with moderately high IFAT titre, the infection was confirmed by nested-PCR in peripheral blood. Thirty-one georeferenced sites were monitored for sand flies by means of interception (sticky papers) and attraction (CDC miniature light traps) collection devices. Traps were set during summer approximately on monthly basis, and extended up to October for positive sites. Only 2 sites were found positive for a total of 317 phlebotomine specimens collected by sticky traps, which included a previously known P. perniciosus-endemic site near Bolzano town. Sergentomyia minuta was by far the most prevalent (98.1%) and the only recorded sand fly species in the most northerly Italian site ever investigated (Coldrano municipality in Venosta valley). For the first time, Leishmania serology and n-PCR positive dogs autochthonous to APB were identified, however the spread of sand flies competent for L. infantum transmission could not be demonstrated in several places where endemic seropositive cases were recorded. APB can be considered a territory of low CanL endemicity, however awareness and continuous monitoring are needed to detect changes in the epidemiological status of the zoonosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32862903/