Abstract
Infection with Leishmania parasites can lead to severe disease in humans and dogs, which act as a reservoir in zoonotic transmission. An increasing number of reports suggest that leishmaniosis is not restricted to dogs, but also affects many other mammalian and avian species. Consequently, this expands the potential reservoir and is of great public and veterinary health concern. The present study reviews, based on a comprehensive search of scientific literature published from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2020, the currently available information on animal leishmaniosis in vertebrates in Europe, other than dogs and humans. This review provides an exhaustive list of mammals and birds in which infections with or exposure to Leishmania parasites have been detected in European countries. Most cases are reported from the Mediterranean region. Domestic animals, in particular cats, pose a concern because of close contact with humans. The wildlife reservoir is less likely to contribute to zoonotic transmission, with the exception of hares. This potentially large reservoir needs to be taken into account when developing control measures for zoonotic leishmaniosis. From a veterinary point of view, it is important that veterinarians are better aware of leishmaniosis and trained in its management.
Highlights
Published: 6 March 2021The parasitic disease leishmaniasis is caused by vector-borne protozoa of the genusLeishmania and transmitted via infected female sand flies (Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia) [1].The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries around the world
This review presents a list of mammals and birds in which infections with or exposure to Leishmania spp. have been detected in European countries
The present review shows that many mammal species other than humans and dogs can be infected with Leishmania, or have at least been in contact with these parasites, as demonstrated by their adaptive immune response
Summary
The parasitic disease leishmaniasis is caused by vector-borne protozoa of the genus. Leishmania and transmitted via infected female sand flies (Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia) [1]. A significant proportion of infected dogs remain clinically healthy thanks to an adequate cell-mediated immune response, but these subclinically infected animals can act as carriers of Leishmania spp. and are capable of transmitting parasites to the sand fly vectors [7]. A variable time after infection, dogs may develop a systemic chronic disease with a broad spectrum of severity and clinical signs due to the dissemination of the parasite in the skin and internal organs and due to the development of immune-mediated pathology. There are increasing numbers of studies reporting infection of other domestic and wild animals by Leishmania spp This may have important consequences for the development of control programs developed according to a “One Health” perspective, in case of possible transmission to humans from reservoirs that were previously not (well) identified [9]. The present study reviews the currently available literature on animal leishmaniosis in vertebrates in Europe other than dogs and humans
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
