Can equids be a reservoir of Leishmania braziliensis in endemic areas?
In this study, we detected Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in equids living in endemic regions of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To determine the role of these animals in the Leishmania cycle, we used two approaches: serological and molecular methods. Antibodies to the parasite were assayed using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Blood samples were collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the positive products were sequenced. The results showed that 11.0% (25/227) of the equids were seropositive for Leishmania sp, and 16.3% (37/227) were PCR positive. Antibodies were detected in 20 horses, 3 donkeys, and 2 mules, and the parasite DNA was detected in 30 horses, 5 donkeys, and 2 mules. Sequencing the amplified DNA revealed 100% similarity with sequences for Viannia complex, corroborating the results of PCR for L. braziliensis. Our results show that equids are infected with L. braziliensis, which could be food sources for phlebotomines in the peridomiciliary environment and consequently play a role in the cutaneous leishmaniasis cycle.
Center for Zoonoses Control, Department of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Department, Araucária, Paraná, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Jessé Henrique
JH
Truppel
Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Maringá State University (UEM), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Flavio
F
Otomura
Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Maringá State University (UEM), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Ueslei
U
Teodoro
Surveillance Service of Health, Ministry of Health, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
Rubens
R
Massafera
Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Magda Clara Vieira
MC
da Costa-Ribeiro
Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Carolina Motter
CM
Catarino
Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Luana
L
Dalagrana
Geography Department, Maringá State University (UEM), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.
Maria Eugênia Moreira
ME
Costa Ferreira
Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Vanete
V
Thomaz-Soccol
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018397:Equidae; D005843:Geography; D006736:Horses; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000235:genetics*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan