Could wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be reservoirs for Leishmania infantum in the focus of Madrid, Spain?

Abstract

Xenodiagnosis has previously proved that hares (Lepus granatensis) from a focus of leishmaniasis in the southwestern Madrid region (Spain) are infective to Phlebotomus perniciosus, the only vector in the area, thus playing a probable role as active reservoirs in a sylvatic transmission cycle linked to the usual domestic one. Although actions have been taken to reduce the population of this lagomorph, a high population of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is present in the area, which shows detectable anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies and a large number of individuals with DNA of this parasite. With the aim to elucidate the role of this lagomorph in the focus, xenodiagnostic studies carried out with wild rabbits captured in the area demonstrate that they are able to transmit L. infantum to P. perniciosus. Moreover, the study of blood meal preferences of P. perniciosus caught in the focus during and entomological survey shows strong evidence that rabbits are contributing to the maintenance of a high sand fly population in the area. These findings suggest that wild rabbits could play some role in Leishmania transmission.