Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA in blood samples of horses (Equus caballus) and donkeys (Equus asinus) by PCR

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: João Augusto Franco Leonel, Bruna Tannihão, Julia Assis Arantes, Geovanna Vioti, Julia Cristina Benassi, Roberta Ariboni Brandi, Helena Lage Ferreira, Lara Borges Keid, Rodrigo Martins Soares, Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 2021
• Subjects: Asinines; Equines; Equids; Leishmania infantum; ITS-1; PCR; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946202163012; https://doaj.org/article/1090f6537ab84e38a9dcfe92d1e0358f

ABSTRACT Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the Leishmania infantum parasite. The protozoan is able to infect several domestic and wild mammals. Since the first report on Leishmania spp. infection in horses in South America, leishmaniasis in equids has been highlighted in Brazil. A molecular epidemiological survey was carried out to verify the occurrence of Leishmania spp. DNA in horses and donkeys, in leishmaniases endemic areas in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. To this end, blood samples were obtained from 107 horses and 36 donkeys and subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR targeting the ITS-1 region. Among the horses and donkeys, 1.87% (2/107) and 8.33% (3/36) were positive by PCR, respectively. The DNA sequencing of the ITS-1 amplification products confirmed L. infantum DNA in these animals. Our results suggest that horses and donkeys from non-VL and VL endemic areas of São Paulo State may be infected by the parasite.