Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania and characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical signs in dogs. Early diagnosis is of great importance in order to perform an appropriate therapy and to prevent progression towards severe disease. The aim of this study was to compare a point-of-care molecular technique, i.e., the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), with a real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR), and three serological techniques, i.e., immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a rapid SNAP Leishmania test, to develop an integrated approach for the diagnosis of CanL. Sixty dogs were chosen after physical examination and collection of blood and sera samples, fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes, and conjunctival swabs were performed. Lymphadenopathy (82.3%), as well as clinicopathological alterations of total proteins (70.6%), were the most frequent signs. Forty-one (68.3%) samples resulted positive at least to one technique. IFAT resulted in the best serological diagnostic method (specificity = 100%, sensitivity = 97.2%), detecting a higher number of positive samples than those revealed by other techniques. Among the samples used for molecular analysis, fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes was revealed as the best sample source. LAMP showed a substantial agreement (κ = 0.80; p <0.0001) with Rt-PCR; therefore, it could be promising for the rapid diagnosis of CanL. Nevertheless, further studies should be performed to confirm these findings.
Highlights
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is an important vector-borne zoonotic parasitic disease caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted to dogs by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies [1]
The study was conducted in the Campania region of southern Italy (Latitude = 39◦ 590 15”–41◦ 300 25”; Longitude = 13◦ 450 25”–15◦ 480 23”), a highly endemic CanL area, which extends over an area of 13,590 km2
Forty-seven out of the 60 dogs (78.3%; 95% CI = 65.5–87.5) showed overt clinical signs of CanL, whilst 13 (21.7%, 95% CI = 12.5–34.5) were asymptomatic
Summary
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is an important vector-borne zoonotic parasitic disease caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted to dogs (and humans) by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies [1]. CanL is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical signs and degrees of severity, due to pathogenic mechanisms of Leishmania, and to the variable immune response of individuals. 2020, 7, 43 diagnosis is not easy and should be based on an integrated approach based on anamnesis, clinical signs, clinicopathological alterations, and usage of different laboratory techniques [5,6]. Early diagnosis of CanL is of great importance in order to perform an early and appropriate therapy and to prevent progression towards severe disease [7]
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