Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leishmania infection found in dogs and a cat in Doha Qatar
By Lima, Clara et al.·Published in Parasites & vectors·2019·Parkview Pet Center and Cityview Veterinary Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Molecular detection of Leishmania spp. in dogs and a cat from Doha, Qatar.
Plain-English summary
A study in Qatar found that four pets, including three dogs and one cat, tested positive for Leishmania, a parasite that can cause serious health issues. These pets had not traveled outside the country, indicating that they likely contracted the infection locally. Leishmania can be harmful to both animals and humans, so it's important for pet owners in the area to be aware of this risk and consider preventive measures against sand flies, which spread the parasite.
People also search for: dog leishmaniasis symptoms · cat leishmania infection · how to prevent sand fly bites in pets
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine and feline leishmanioses are increasingly reported worldwide and represent a threat to both animal and human health. Despite their relevance, data about leishmanioses in companion animals in the east-central part of the Arabian Peninsula are unavailable. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of Leishmania spp. in dogs and cats from Qatar. METHODS: From March 2016 to May 2018, 199 pets (120 dogs and 79 cats) living in Doha or its outskirts were included in this study. From each animal a blood sample was collected and tested for Leishmania spp. by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Out of the 199 animals, four (2.0%) were positive for Leishmania spp., including three dogs (2.5%) and one cat (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: All positive animals were born in Qatar and had not travelled overseas, suggesting that infection was locally acquired. Considering the occurrence of Leishmania spp. and its potential impact on the health of animals and humans, it is crucial to increase scientific knowledge in order to plan screening and regular prophylaxis against sand fly vectors to reduce the risk of infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30909973/