A Systematic Review (1990–2021) of Wild Animals Infected with Zoonotic <i>Leishmania</i>

Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by several species of <i>Leishmania</i> that affect humans and many domestic and wild animals with a worldwide distribution. The objectives of this review are to identify wild animals naturally infected with zoonotic <i>Leishmania</i&g...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Iris Azami-Conesa, María Teresa Gómez-Muñoz, Rafael Alberto Martínez-Díaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/5/1101
Description
Summary:Leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by several species of <i>Leishmania</i> that affect humans and many domestic and wild animals with a worldwide distribution. The objectives of this review are to identify wild animals naturally infected with zoonotic <i>Leishmania</i> species as well as the organs infected, methods employed for detection and percentage of infection. A literature search starting from 1990 was performed following the PRISMA methodology and 161 reports were included. One hundred and eighty-nine species from ten orders (i.e., Carnivora, Chiroptera, Cingulata, Didelphimorphia, Diprotodontia, Lagomorpha, Eulipotyphla, Pilosa, Primates and Rodentia) were reported to be infected, and a few animals were classified only at the genus level. An exhaustive list of species; diagnostic techniques, including PCR targets; infected organs; number of animals explored and percentage of positives are presented. <i>L. infantum</i> infection was described in 98 wild species and <i>L</i>. (<i>Viania</i>) spp. in 52 wild animals, while <i>L. mexicana</i>, <i>L. amazonensis</i>, <i>L. major</i> and <i>L. tropica</i> were described in fewer than 32 animals each. During the last decade, intense research revealed new hosts within Chiroptera and Lagomorpha. Carnivores and rodents were the most relevant hosts for <i>L. infantum</i> and <i>L</i>. (<i>Viannia</i>) spp., with some species showing lesions, although in most of the studies clinical signs were not reported.
ISSN:2076-2607