Molecular detection and characterization of in free-ranging Egyptian mongoose ().

Wild mammals are susceptible to infection by parasites. Although canine leishmaniasis is widely distributed in mainland Portugal, the sylvatic cycle of the parasite remains poorly understood. In this study, the occurrence of in wild carnivores from Portugal was assessed by molecular screening of 132 hunted or accidentally road-killed animals. Spleen samples from Egyptian mongoose, red fox, stone marten, common genet and European badger were tested by amplification of kinetoplastid DNA and ITS1. Five egyptian mongoose were confirmed DNA-positive by kDNA-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of a kDNA amplicon sequence clustered the strain with sequences from Portugal. These results may suggest that strains circulating in wild animals are genetically related with strains from more humanized settings. Exposure of wild carnivores to emphasizes the need of systematic studies to clarify the role of several taxa in the eco-epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Portugal, particularly in areas of carnivore species synanthropy and wherein disease control in the domestic population is inefficient or insufficient.