title: The first report of autochthonous non-vector-borne transmission of canine leishmaniosis in the Nordic countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leishmania spp. are zoonotic protozoans that infect humans and other mammals such as dogs. The most significant causative species in dogs is L. infantum. In dogs, leishmaniosis is a potentially progressive, chronic disease with varying clinical outcomes. Autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis have not previously been reported in the Nordic countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this report we describe the first diagnosed autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis in Finland, in which transmission via a suitable arthropod vector was absent. Two Finnish boxers that had never been in endemic areas of Leishmania spp., had never received blood transfusions, nor were infested by ectoparasites were diagnosed with leishmaniosis. Another dog was found with elevated Leishmania antibodies. A fourth boxer dog that had been in Spain was considered to be the source of these infections. Transmission occurred through biting wounds and semen, however, transplacental infection in one of the dogs could not be ruled out. Two of the infected dogs developed a serious disease and were euthanized and sent for necropsy. The first one suffered from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and the second one had a chronic systemic disease. Leishmania sp. was detected from tissues by PCR and/or IHC in both dogs. The third infected dog was serologically positive for Leishmania sp. but remained free of clinical signs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report shows that imported Leishmania-infected dogs may pose a risk for domestic dogs, even without suitable local arthropod vectors.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Pathology Research Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland. veera.karkamo@evira.fi.
authors.forename: Veera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karkamo
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic Tähti, Kypärätie 19, FI-40630, Jyväskylä, Finland. anu.kaistinen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaistinen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland. anu.nareaho@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Näreaho
authors.affiliation: Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Pathology Research Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland. kati.dillard@evira.fi.
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dillard
authors.affiliation: Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Pathology Research Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland. katri.vainio-siukola@evira.fi.
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vainio-Siukola
authors.affiliation: Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Pathology Research Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland. gabriele.vidgren@evira.fi.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vidgrén
authors.affiliation: Movet Oy, Bioteknia 1, Neulaniementie 2, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland. niina.tuoresmaki@movet.fi.
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tuoresmäki
authors.affiliation: Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Pathology Research Unit, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland. marjukka.anttila@evira.fi.
authors.forename: Marjukka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anttila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D007891:Leishmania / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013030:Spain