Leishmania infantum in Dogs (Canis) | Vetlexicon
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Leishmania infantum

ISSN 2398-2942


Synonym(s): Leishmania chagasi

Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Protista
  • Phylum: Sarcomastigophora
  • Subphylum: Mastigophora
  • Class: Zoomastigophora
  • Order: Kinetoplastida
  • Family: Trypanosomatidae
  • Genus: Leishmania
  • Species: Infantum

Etymology

  • Leishmania infantum is in the Leishmania donovani complex. It is occasionally incorrectly referred to as L donovani.
  • The name, Leishmania chagasi is a synonym for L. infantum used in South America.

Distribution

  • Endemic in countries of the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, parts of Africa and Asia and South America.
  • Now commonly found in dogs that have traveled from an endemic area and then returned to an area traditionally free of Leishmania.
  • Unusual distribution within Foxhound breed Foxhound (American) in non-endemic areas of North America.

Significance

  • L infantum causes severe systematic disease in dogs Canine leishmaniosis.
  • Dogs are the principal reservoir host for human infection.
  • L infantum causes visceral disease particularly in young children and immunosuppressed individuals.

Active Forms

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Resting Forms

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Clinical Effects

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Diagnosis

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
  • Solano-Gallego L, Koutinas A, Miró G et al (2009) Directions for the diagnosis, clinical staging, treatment and prevention of canine leishmaniosis. Vet Parasitol 165 (1-2), 1-18 PubMed.
  • Tabar M D, Francino O, Altet L et al (2009) PCR survey of vectorborne pathogens in dogs living in and around Barcelona, an area endemic for leishmaniosis. Vet Rec 164 (4), 112-116 PubMed.
  • Baneth G, Koutinas A F, Solano-Gallego L et al (2008) Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one. Trends Parasitol 24 (7), 324-330 PubMed.
  • Miró G, Cardoso L, Pennisi M G et al (2008) Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part two. Trends Parasitol 24 (8), 371-377 PubMed.
  • Baneth G & Shaw S E (2002) Chemotherapy of canine leishmaniasis. Vet Parasitol 106 (4), 315-324 VetMedResource.
  • Lindsay D S, Zajac A M & Barr S C (2002) Leishmaniasis in the American foxhounds: an emerging zoonosis? Comp Cont Ed Pract Vet 24 (4), 304-313 VetMedResource.
  • Mauricio I L, Howard M K, Stothard J R et al (1999) Genomic diversity in the Leishmania donovani complex. Parasitol 119 (3), 237-246 PubMed.

Other sources of information