Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran
Background: Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are considered as highly specialized bloodsucking on mammals such as dogs. The existence of three factors, namely a vast distribution area, different hosts, and digestive system with a specific mechanism for digesting blood has led to species of fleas who...
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| Format: | Article |
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Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1309 |
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| author | Amrollah Azarm Abdolhossin Dalimi Mehdi Mohebali Anita Mohammadiha Majid Pirestani Zabihollah Zarei Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani |
| author_facet | Amrollah Azarm Abdolhossin Dalimi Mehdi Mohebali Anita Mohammadiha Majid Pirestani Zabihollah Zarei Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani |
| author_sort | Amrollah Azarm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are considered as highly specialized bloodsucking on mammals such as dogs. The existence of three factors, namely a vast distribution area, different hosts, and digestive system with a specific mechanism for digesting blood has led to species of fleas who nourish from mammals be introduced as the potential vectors of diseases. The aim of this study was to assess Leishmania infantum natural infection of dog fleas in northwest Iran in 2018.
Methods: A total of 20 infested domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) were randomly selected from 5 villages. Fleas were collected using brushing against dog hairs and fine forceps. Then, they were morphologically identified and preserved in ethanol for molecular assay. The kinetoplast DNA of the parasite was used for detection of Leishmania infantum using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
Results: The human flea, Pulex irritans, and the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis were identified on 40% and 35% of dogs, respectively. The results of PCR indicated that L. infantum was found in the Ctenocephalides canis (75%) and C. felis (66.7%) collected from infected dogs. No leishmanial infection was observed in P. irritans.
Conclusion: It is concluded that fleas could be infected by Leishmania infantum, but maintenance of the parasite and their vectorial competence needs to be determined.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:13:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d92d6447eb6945d1abddd5132e38113e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2322-1984 2322-2271 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:13:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Tehran University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-d92d6447eb6945d1abddd5132e38113e2023-04-24T07:02:06ZengTehran University of Medical SciencesJournal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases2322-19842322-22712023-02-0116310.18502/jad.v16i3.12041Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in IranAmrollah Azarm0Abdolhossin Dalimi1Mehdi Mohebali2Anita Mohammadiha3Majid Pirestani4Zabihollah Zarei5Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani6Tehran University of Medical Scienceshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5591-5513Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Tarbit ModaresDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Tarbit Modares University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background: Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are considered as highly specialized bloodsucking on mammals such as dogs. The existence of three factors, namely a vast distribution area, different hosts, and digestive system with a specific mechanism for digesting blood has led to species of fleas who nourish from mammals be introduced as the potential vectors of diseases. The aim of this study was to assess Leishmania infantum natural infection of dog fleas in northwest Iran in 2018. Methods: A total of 20 infested domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) were randomly selected from 5 villages. Fleas were collected using brushing against dog hairs and fine forceps. Then, they were morphologically identified and preserved in ethanol for molecular assay. The kinetoplast DNA of the parasite was used for detection of Leishmania infantum using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: The human flea, Pulex irritans, and the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis were identified on 40% and 35% of dogs, respectively. The results of PCR indicated that L. infantum was found in the Ctenocephalides canis (75%) and C. felis (66.7%) collected from infected dogs. No leishmanial infection was observed in P. irritans. Conclusion: It is concluded that fleas could be infected by Leishmania infantum, but maintenance of the parasite and their vectorial competence needs to be determined. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1309Ctenocephalides canis; Ctenocephalides felis; Leishmania infantum; Pulex irritans |
| spellingShingle | Amrollah Azarm Abdolhossin Dalimi Mehdi Mohebali Anita Mohammadiha Majid Pirestani Zabihollah Zarei Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases Ctenocephalides canis; Ctenocephalides felis; Leishmania infantum; Pulex irritans |
| title | Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran |
| title_full | Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran |
| title_short | Molecular Identification of Leishmania infantum kDNA in Naturally Infected Dogs and Their Fleas in an Endemic Focus of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Iran |
| title_sort | molecular identification of leishmania infantum kdna in naturally infected dogs and their fleas in an endemic focus of canine visceral leishmaniasis in iran |
| topic | Ctenocephalides canis; Ctenocephalides felis; Leishmania infantum; Pulex irritans |
| url | https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1309 |
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