Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eurasian otter in Spain with leishmaniosis symptoms and kidney issues
By Cantos-Barreda, Ana et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2020·Department of Animal Health, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical leishmaniosis in a captive Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Spain: a case report.
- Species:
- wildlife
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old male Eurasian otter at a wildlife park in Spain was brought in with symptoms like nosebleeds, loss of appetite, lethargy, and weight loss. Tests showed signs of kidney problems and an infection caused by Leishmania infantum, which is known to affect various mammals. The otter was treated with allopurinol for three months, leading to a significant improvement: he gained weight, the nosebleeds stopped, and his health markers returned to normal. This case highlights that Eurasian otters can get sick from this infection in areas where it is common.
People also search for: Eurasian otter nosebleeds · Leishmania infection treatment in otters · otter weight loss symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Captive and free-ranging wild mammals have been recognized as potential reservoirs of Leishmania infantum infection. The aim of this study was to describe the first clinical case of leishmaniosis in the Eurasian otter. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of clinical leishmaniosis is reported in a 4-year-old male Eurasian otter housed at a wildlife park (Murcia, South Eastern Spain). The Eurasian otter showed bilateral epistaxis, anorexia, apathy, and weight loss. A complete blood cell count and biochemical analyses revealed hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, decreases of paraoxonase-1, increases of haptoglobin and ferritin, and proteinuria. Bilateral nephropathy with hydronephrosis, mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, and ascites were also observed. L. infantum infection was confirmed by microscopy (amastigotes were detected in macrophages from spleen aspirate), molecular diagnosis (L. infantum DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction), and serology (anti-Leishmania IgG2 antibodies were detected by time-resolved immunofluorometry). The animal was treated with allopurinol for 3 months and gained weight, the epistaxis disappeared, and the ferritin concentration decreased. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of clinical leishmaniosis in the Eurasian otter. Our results suggest that Eurasian otters are susceptible to infection with L. infantum and can develop clinical leishmaniosis in endemic areas.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32854701/