title: Risk assessment for canine leishmaniasis spreading in the north of Italy.
abstract: The incidence of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis has not only been recognized but is, in fact, increasing in territories of northern continental Italy previously regarded as non-endemic. Recent findings of sporadic autochthonous canine infections and the presence of phlebotomine vectors in some provinces of north-eastern Italy have stimulated risk assessment for the spreading of leishmaniasis in the autonomous province of Bolzano-South Tyrol, the northernmost territory of the Italian eastern Alps. In July 2008, 61 phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) were caught and identified as Phlebotomus perniciosus and Sergentomyia minuta. This is the first record in South Tyrol of P. perniciosus, the most competent vector of Leishmania infantum in Mediterranean countries. Leishmania serology on local dogs kept in kennels gave negative results, while only imported canine leishmaniasis cases were reported by local veterinaries through a questionnaire survey. Bio-geographic aspects and epidemiological consequences are analyzed in relation with the risk of leishmaniasis introduction into the area.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Services of Bolzano, Health Department of South Tyrol, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morosetti
authors.forename: Gioia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bongiorno
authors.forename: Bernadett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beran
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scalone
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gramiccia
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gradoni
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maroli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000821:virology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission*