First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain
Abstract Background Some wild animals have been recognized as potential reservoirs of Leishmania infantum infection (e.g. carnivores, lagomorphs, rodents, etc.). Leishmania infantum was also identified infecting humans and lagomorphs (i.e. hares and rabbits) over the period of 2009–2016, with the la...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-018-2772-1 |
| _version_ | 1811263402788519936 |
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| author | Guadalupe Miró Amelia Troyano Ana Montoya Fernando Fariñas Ma Luisa Fermín Luís Flores Carlos Rojo Rocío Checa Rosa Gálvez Valentina Marino Cristina Fragío Eva Martínez-Nevado |
| author_facet | Guadalupe Miró Amelia Troyano Ana Montoya Fernando Fariñas Ma Luisa Fermín Luís Flores Carlos Rojo Rocío Checa Rosa Gálvez Valentina Marino Cristina Fragío Eva Martínez-Nevado |
| author_sort | Guadalupe Miró |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Some wild animals have been recognized as potential reservoirs of Leishmania infantum infection (e.g. carnivores, lagomorphs, rodents, etc.). Leishmania infantum was also identified infecting humans and lagomorphs (i.e. hares and rabbits) over the period of 2009–2016, with the latter acting as the main reservoirs involved in the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid. Results Two cases of clinical leishmaniosis are reported in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) housed at two different centres in Madrid. The first is the case of a 36-year-old male orangutan with severe weight loss and apathy. A complete blood count and biochemical profile revealed anaemia, neutropenia, hypoalbuminaemia and elevated transaminases. Hepato-splenomegaly was also observed. Four months later, due to worsening of clinical signs (mainly bilateral epistaxis), blood and bone marrow samples were collected. Amastigotes of L. infantum were detected in macrophages from a bone marrow aspirate and by specific polymerase chain reaction. The second case was a 34-year-old female orangutan with severe weight loss and apathy and no other apparent clinical signs. A complete blood count and biochemical profile revealed anaemia, pancytopenia and hypoalbuminaemia. Splenomegaly and pericardial effusion were also observed. As leishmaniosis was included in the differential diagnosis, both blood and bone marrow samples were collected. Leishmania infantum infection was confirmed by microscopy, molecular diagnosis and serology (immunofluorescence antibody test). Both animals were treated daily with oral miltefosine for 28 days; allopurinol was also given uninterruptedly in Case 2 for at least 6 months. During follow-up, though good clinical recovery was clear, a lack of parasitological cure was confirmed molecularly in both blood and bone marrow samples from the two orangutans. In both habitats, the presence of the sand fly vector identified as Phlebotomus perniciosus was confirmed. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. infantum infection in great apes and in the endangered species P. p. pygmaeus. We are presently looking for L. infantum in other non-human primates living in the same peri-urban areas. If detected, we will examine the impacts of this serious disease on these critically endangered species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:43:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b088de4813064d35bd3d9f508de19793 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:43:26Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-b088de4813064d35bd3d9f508de197932022-12-22T03:19:01ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052018-03-011111710.1186/s13071-018-2772-1First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, SpainGuadalupe Miró0Amelia Troyano1Ana Montoya2Fernando Fariñas3Ma Luisa Fermín4Luís Flores5Carlos Rojo6Rocío Checa7Rosa Gálvez8Valentina Marino9Cristina Fragío10Eva Martínez-Nevado11Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridCentro de Rescate de Primates “RAINFER”Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridInstitute of Clinical Immunology and Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridCentre de Rehabilitation des Primates de LwiroZoo de MadridDepartment of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridDepartment of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridDepartment of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridDepartment of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de MadridZoo de MadridAbstract Background Some wild animals have been recognized as potential reservoirs of Leishmania infantum infection (e.g. carnivores, lagomorphs, rodents, etc.). Leishmania infantum was also identified infecting humans and lagomorphs (i.e. hares and rabbits) over the period of 2009–2016, with the latter acting as the main reservoirs involved in the human leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid. Results Two cases of clinical leishmaniosis are reported in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) housed at two different centres in Madrid. The first is the case of a 36-year-old male orangutan with severe weight loss and apathy. A complete blood count and biochemical profile revealed anaemia, neutropenia, hypoalbuminaemia and elevated transaminases. Hepato-splenomegaly was also observed. Four months later, due to worsening of clinical signs (mainly bilateral epistaxis), blood and bone marrow samples were collected. Amastigotes of L. infantum were detected in macrophages from a bone marrow aspirate and by specific polymerase chain reaction. The second case was a 34-year-old female orangutan with severe weight loss and apathy and no other apparent clinical signs. A complete blood count and biochemical profile revealed anaemia, pancytopenia and hypoalbuminaemia. Splenomegaly and pericardial effusion were also observed. As leishmaniosis was included in the differential diagnosis, both blood and bone marrow samples were collected. Leishmania infantum infection was confirmed by microscopy, molecular diagnosis and serology (immunofluorescence antibody test). Both animals were treated daily with oral miltefosine for 28 days; allopurinol was also given uninterruptedly in Case 2 for at least 6 months. During follow-up, though good clinical recovery was clear, a lack of parasitological cure was confirmed molecularly in both blood and bone marrow samples from the two orangutans. In both habitats, the presence of the sand fly vector identified as Phlebotomus perniciosus was confirmed. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. infantum infection in great apes and in the endangered species P. p. pygmaeus. We are presently looking for L. infantum in other non-human primates living in the same peri-urban areas. If detected, we will examine the impacts of this serious disease on these critically endangered species.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-018-2772-1Captive wildEndangered speciesLeishmania infantumLeishmaniosisMadridOrangutans |
| spellingShingle | Guadalupe Miró Amelia Troyano Ana Montoya Fernando Fariñas Ma Luisa Fermín Luís Flores Carlos Rojo Rocío Checa Rosa Gálvez Valentina Marino Cristina Fragío Eva Martínez-Nevado First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain Parasites & Vectors Captive wild Endangered species Leishmania infantum Leishmaniosis Madrid Orangutans |
| title | First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain |
| title_full | First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain |
| title_fullStr | First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain |
| title_short | First report of Leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Madrid, Spain |
| title_sort | first report of leishmania infantum infection in the endangered orangutan pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus in madrid spain |
| topic | Captive wild Endangered species Leishmania infantum Leishmaniosis Madrid Orangutans |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-018-2772-1 |
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