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. 2022 Aug 12:55:e0600.
doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0600-2021. eCollection 2022.

Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil

Claudio Júlio da Silva  1   2   3 , Karina Patricia Baracho Lima  1 , Juliana Figueirêdo da Costa Lima Suassuna Monteiro  1 , Andréa Karla Sales Ferreira da Silva  1 , Fernando José da Silva  1 , Allana Maria de Souza Pereira  1 , Valéria Pereira Hernandes  1 , Elis Dionísio da Silva  1 , Cláudia Sofia de Assunção Gonçalves E Silva  3   4 , Sinval Pinto Brandão Filho  1 , Maria Edileuza Felinto de Brito  1
Affiliations

Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil

Claudio Júlio da Silva et al. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. .

Abstract

Background: American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a commonly neglected, vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that is a major public health concern in Brazil. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species associated with the disease. Accurate diagnosis is based on epidemiological surveillance, clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis has been detected in several wild and synanthropic mammals. Their epidemiological role has not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to assess potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals, by molecular and serological testing in endemic areas, in the metropolitan region of Recife.

Methods: Blood samples and conjunctival fluids were collected from 232 animals (canids, felids, equines, and caprines) for the detection of L. braziliensis using molecular tests (conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR and qPCR]). For immunological detection, blood samples from 115 dogs were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Real-time quantitative PCR showed positive results for blood and conjunctival samples in all investigated species. The results of the blood and conjunctival samples were 68.2% and 26.9% in Canis familiaris, 100% and 41.7% in Felis catus, 77.3% and 30.8% in Equus caballus/Equus asinus, and 50% and 33.3% in Capra hircus samples, respectively.

Conclusions: Results from this study adds valuable information to our understanding of the role of asymptomatic domestic animals, L. braziliensis life cycle, and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: There are no conflicts of interest declared by the authors.

Figures

FIGURE 1:
FIGURE 1:. Map of Moreno, a municipality in the Recife metropolitan zone. The red spot on the map depicts the municipality of Moreno, from where the study samples were obtained.
FIGURE 2:
FIGURE 2:. qPCR amplification of L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in leukocytes. Graph with the amplification curve of a qPCR experiment with a standard curve (1ng of DNA to 1fg of DNA) and leukocyte samples from domestic animals. The reaction had an efficiency higher than 93%.
FIGURE 3:
FIGURE 3:. qPCR amplification of DNA from L. (V.) braziliensis in a conjunctival swab. Graph with the amplification curve of a qPCR experiment with a standard curve (1ng of DNA to 1fg of DNA) and conjunctival swab samples from domestic animals. The reaction had an efficiency higher than 94.5%.
FIGURE 4:
FIGURE 4:. Agarose gel amplification of L. (V.) braziliensis DNA in leukocytes. MW: molecular weight; PC: positive control; NC: Negative control; A6: sample 6; A3: Sample.
FIGURE 5:
FIGURE 5:. Infection prevalence with L. (V.) braziliensis in Canis familiaris. Detection threshold (Cutoff): 0.689.
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