摩洛哥利什曼病城市化的兽医视角。

Veterinary perspectives on the urbanization of leishmaniosis in Morocco.

机构信息

Host-Parasite Interaction Group, i3S, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

出版信息

Parasit Vectors. 2024 Aug 19;17(1):348. doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06411-5.

DOI:10.1186/s13071-024-06411-5

PMID:39160608

原文链接:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11334585/

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum, L. major and L. tropica is endemic in Morocco. Growing evidence of both human and canine Leishmania infections in urban centres has been reported. Since many forms of the disease are zoonotic, veterinarians play an important role in leishmaniosis control by intervening at the parasite host level. This study aimed to bring together One Health principles to connect canine and feline leishmaniosis epidemiology within urban centres of Morocco (Rabat and Fez) and assess the level of awareness of Moroccan veterinarians about facing this threat.

METHODS

A molecular survey was conducted for Leishmania DNA detection in canine (n = 155) and feline (n = 32) whole-blood samples. Three conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols were implemented. The first PCR aimed at identifying infected animals by targeting Leishmania spp. kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA). The second and third PCR targeted the Leishmania internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-1) and the Leishmania small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) gene, respectively, aiming at identification of the infecting species after Sanger sequencing-positive amplicons. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against Leishmania spp. was evaluated in 125 dogs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using an in-house protocol, including three Leishmania-specific antigens (SPLA, rKDDR and LicTXNPx). Sera from 25 cats were screened for total IgG to Leishmania spp. by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). An online questionnaire was presented to Moroccan veterinarians addressing their knowledge and practices towards animal leishmaniosis.

RESULTS

Overall, 19.4% of the dogs tested positive for Leishmania kDNA and ITS-1 and sequencing revealed infection with L. infantum among PCR-positive dogs. These animals presented a wide range of ELISA seropositivity results (16.7%, 34.9% and 51.6%) according to the tested antigens (rKDDR, SPLA and LicTXNPx, respectively). Use of kDNA-PCR revealed 12.5% cats positive to Leishmania spp. otherwise found to be seronegative by IFAT.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable prevalence of infection was identified in dogs from urban centres of Morocco. Additionally, this is the first report of feline infection with Leishmania spp. in this country and in urban settings. Moroccan veterinarians are aware that animal leishmaniosis is endemic in Morocco, representing a public health threat, and are knowledgeable about canine leishmaniosis diagnosis and treatment.

摘要

背景

由利什曼原虫引起的利什曼病在摩洛哥流行。据报道，城市中心的人类和犬利什曼原虫感染不断增加。由于许多疾病形式都是人畜共患的，兽医在寄生虫宿主层面的干预在控制利什曼病方面发挥着重要作用。本研究旨在汇集“同一健康”原则，将摩洛哥城市中心（拉巴特和非斯）的犬和猫利什曼病流行病学联系起来，并评估摩洛哥兽医对这一威胁的认识程度。

方法

对 155 只犬和 32 只猫的全血样本进行了利什曼原虫 DNA 检测的分子调查。实施了三种常规聚合酶链反应（PCR）方案。第一种 PCR 旨在通过靶向利什曼属种动基体微环 DNA（kDNA）来鉴定感染动物。第二种和第三种 PCR 分别针对利什曼属种内部转录间隔区（ITS-1）和利什曼属种小亚单位核糖体 RNA（SSUrRNA）基因，在对 Sanger 测序阳性扩增子进行鉴定后，确定感染物种。使用内部协议的酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）评估了 125 只犬的总免疫球蛋白 G（IgG）针对利什曼属种。包括三种利什曼属种特异性抗原（SPLA、rKDDR 和 LicTXNPx）。通过间接免疫荧光抗体试验（IFAT）筛查了 25 只猫的总 IgG 针对利什曼属种。向摩洛哥兽医提供了一份在线问卷，询问他们对动物利什曼病的了解和做法。

结果

总体而言，19.4%的犬检测到利什曼 kDNA 和 ITS-1 阳性，测序显示 PCR 阳性犬感染利什曼属种。这些动物根据测试的抗原（rKDDR、SPLA 和 LicTXNPx）呈现出广泛的 ELISA 血清阳性结果（分别为 16.7%、34.9%和 51.6%）。使用 kDNA-PCR 显示 12.5%的猫对利什曼属种呈阳性，而通过 IFAT 发现它们为阴性。