ABSTRACT
An autochthonous case of visceral leishmaniasis is reported in a dog (Canis familiaris) as an apparently natural infection in a non-endemic area. DNA obtained from spleen and liver samples produced the expected fragment in a Leishmania-specific rDNA-based nested-PCR assay. The PCR product, a 490 bp fragment, was sequenced and the nucleotide sequence was identical to that of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi. These results are surprising since no autochthonous human or canine cases of visceral leishmaniasis have ever been reported in this municipality. This case suggests that natural transmission of this disease is occurring in this area.
Caso autóctone de leishmaniose visceral é relatado em cão (Canis familiaris), aparentemente em área não endêmica. DNA obtido a partir de amostras do baço e fígado foram submetidos a nested-PCR baseada no rDNA específico de Leishmania. Os produtos das PCR foram sequenciados e os 490 pares de base foram idênticos a Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi. Esses resultados são surpreendentes, uma vez que, nenhum caso autóctone canino ou humano de leishmaniose visceral havia sido relatado neste município. Esse caso sugere que a transmissão natural da doença está ocorrendo nesta área.
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Female , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/veterinary , Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
A natural case of co-infection by Leishmania and Trypanosoma is reported in a dog (Canis familiaris) in south- western state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Both amastigote and trypomastigote forms were observed after Giemsa staining of cytological preparations of the dog's bone marrow aspirate. No parasite was detected using medium culture inoculation of the sample. DNA obtained from the bone marrow aspirate sample and from the blood buffy coat was submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a set of rDNA-based primers S4/S12. The nucleotide sequence of the PCR product was identical to that of Trypanosoma (Trypanozoon) evansi. The S4/S12 PCR was then used as template in a nested-PCR using a specific Leishmania set S17/S18 as primers, to explain the amastigote forms. The nucleotide sequence of the new PCR product was identical to that of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. This case, as far as we know, is the first report of a dog co-infected with these parasites, suggesting that besides L. (L.) chagasi, the natural transmission of T. (T.) evansi occurs in the area under study.