Martínez-Sáez, L.; Dulac, Q.; Montaner-Angoiti, E.; Marín-García, P.J.; Llobat, L. Prevalence and Factors Related to Leishmania infantum Infection in Healthy Horses (Equus caballus) from Eastern Spain. Animals2023, 13, 2889.
Martínez-Sáez, L.; Dulac, Q.; Montaner-Angoiti, E.; Marín-García, P.J.; Llobat, L. Prevalence and Factors Related to Leishmania infantum Infection in Healthy Horses (Equus caballus) from Eastern Spain. Animals 2023, 13, 2889.
Martínez-Sáez, L.; Dulac, Q.; Montaner-Angoiti, E.; Marín-García, P.J.; Llobat, L. Prevalence and Factors Related to Leishmania infantum Infection in Healthy Horses (Equus caballus) from Eastern Spain. Animals2023, 13, 2889.
Martínez-Sáez, L.; Dulac, Q.; Montaner-Angoiti, E.; Marín-García, P.J.; Llobat, L. Prevalence and Factors Related to Leishmania infantum Infection in Healthy Horses (Equus caballus) from Eastern Spain. Animals 2023, 13, 2889.
Abstract
Leishmaniosis is a zoonoses caused by Leishmania spp., an intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasite is transmitted by sandflies and the disease is endemic in Mediterranean basin. In the last years, the number of species which could be reservoir of parasite is increased. One of the most relevant is the horses, due to contact with humans and its ability to control the disease, being a possible silent reservoir. In this study, we have analyzed the prevalence and factors related to L. infantum infection in healthy horses in Mediterranean region. Epidemiological data and serum samples were obtained to 167 apparently healthy horses and presence of L. infantum was evaluated by ELISA method and qPCR. The results show 27,5% of prevalence and the main factors related to infection are equine breed, outdoor living, use and season. In conclusion, the prevalence of L. infantum infection in apparently horses from Eastern Spain (Mediterranean basin) is elevated. To control this zoonosis, it would be advisable to carry out more studies on this and other species that could be silent reservoirs of the parasite, as well as carry out measures such as the use of repellents on a regular basis.
Keywords
equine; leishmania; one health; parasitic infection; zoonosis
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Parasitology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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