Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine leishmaniasis infection rates in Pantelleria island dogs 2017
By Vitale, Fabrizio et al.·Published in Veterinaria italiana·2020·Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cross-sectional survey of canine leishmaniasis in Pantelleria island in Sicily.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 136 dogs on Pantelleria island in Sicily were examined for signs of leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a parasite that can affect both dogs and humans. The study found that about 27% of the dogs had the disease, with enlarged lymph nodes being the most common symptom. To diagnose leishmaniasis, the researchers used blood tests to check for antibodies and DNA from the parasite. This highlights the importance of using multiple testing methods to accurately diagnose leishmaniasis in areas where it is common.
People also search for: dog swollen lymph nodes Sicily · leishmaniasis symptoms in dogs · dog blood test for leishmaniasis
Abstract
Dogs are the major reservoir of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of canine visceral and cutaneous human leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin. Canine and human leishmaniosis are endemic in Italy, particularly in central and southern regions, including islands. Here we show a preliminary, clinical, serological and molecular study carried out in Pantelleria island during 2017. In this study, we clinically examined 136 dogs for the presence of symptoms compatible with leishmaniasis, determined the titer of anti‑Leishmania antibodies, and investigated Leishmania DNA by real time PCR in blood and/or lymph node of each dog. The prevalence of disease was equal to 27% with 95% CI [21%; 32%], lower than prevalence obtained in the other Sicily islands (Lampedusa, Lipari). We observed that enlarged lymph nodes was more positively associated with canine leishmaniasis (CanL)than other clinical signs. The results obtained showed that in an endemic area, such as Sicily, diagnosis of CanL needs to be carried out by including an immunological, molecular clinical approach.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32761581/