Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain
Leishmaniosis is a zoonosis caused by <i>Leishmania</i> spp., an intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasite is transmitted by sandflies, and the disease is endemic in the Mediterranean basin. In recent years, the number of species which could be a reservoir of the parasite is increa...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/18/2889 |
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| author | Lola Martínez-Sáez Quentin Dulac Esperanza Montaner-Angoiti Pablo Jesús Marín-García Lola Llobat |
| author_facet | Lola Martínez-Sáez Quentin Dulac Esperanza Montaner-Angoiti Pablo Jesús Marín-García Lola Llobat |
| author_sort | Lola Martínez-Sáez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leishmaniosis is a zoonosis caused by <i>Leishmania</i> spp., an intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasite is transmitted by sandflies, and the disease is endemic in the Mediterranean basin. In recent years, the number of species which could be a reservoir of the parasite is increased. One of the most relevant species is the horse, due to their contact with humans and ability to control the disease, thus being a possible silent reservoir. In this study, we have analyzed the prevalence and factors related to <i>L. infantum</i> infection in healthy horses in the Mediterranean region. Epidemiological data and serum samples were obtained from 167 apparently healthy horses, and the presence of <i>L. infantum</i> was evaluated via the ELISA method and real-time PCR. The results show 27.5% of prevalence and that the main factors related to infection are equine breed, morphotype, outdoor living, use, and season. In conclusion, the prevalence of <i>L. infantum</i> infection in apparently healthy horses from eastern Spain (Mediterranean basin) is elevated. To control this zoonosis, it would be advisable to carry out more studies on this and other species that could be silent reservoirs of the parasite, as well as carry out measures such as the use of repellents on a regular basis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:07:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6249cb8d4aec44409d92beb79975ff79 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:07:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-6249cb8d4aec44409d92beb79975ff792023-11-19T09:15:01ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-09-011318288910.3390/ani13182889Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern SpainLola Martínez-Sáez0Quentin Dulac1Esperanza Montaner-Angoiti2Pablo Jesús Marín-García3Lola Llobat4Molecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research Group, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, SpainMolecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research Group, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, SpainMolecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research Group, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASASPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, SpainMolecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research Group, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, SpainLeishmaniosis is a zoonosis caused by <i>Leishmania</i> spp., an intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasite is transmitted by sandflies, and the disease is endemic in the Mediterranean basin. In recent years, the number of species which could be a reservoir of the parasite is increased. One of the most relevant species is the horse, due to their contact with humans and ability to control the disease, thus being a possible silent reservoir. In this study, we have analyzed the prevalence and factors related to <i>L. infantum</i> infection in healthy horses in the Mediterranean region. Epidemiological data and serum samples were obtained from 167 apparently healthy horses, and the presence of <i>L. infantum</i> was evaluated via the ELISA method and real-time PCR. The results show 27.5% of prevalence and that the main factors related to infection are equine breed, morphotype, outdoor living, use, and season. In conclusion, the prevalence of <i>L. infantum</i> infection in apparently healthy horses from eastern Spain (Mediterranean basin) is elevated. To control this zoonosis, it would be advisable to carry out more studies on this and other species that could be silent reservoirs of the parasite, as well as carry out measures such as the use of repellents on a regular basis.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/18/2889equine<i>Leishmania</i>One Healthparasitic infectionzoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Lola Martínez-Sáez Quentin Dulac Esperanza Montaner-Angoiti Pablo Jesús Marín-García Lola Llobat Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain Animals equine <i>Leishmania</i> One Health parasitic infection zoonosis |
| title | Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain |
| title_full | Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain |
| title_short | Prevalence and Factors Related to <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Infection in Healthy Horses (<i>Equus caballus</i>) from Eastern Spain |
| title_sort | prevalence and factors related to i leishmania infantum i infection in healthy horses i equus caballus i from eastern spain |
| topic | equine <i>Leishmania</i> One Health parasitic infection zoonosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/18/2889 |
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