Xenodiagnosis in domestic cats (Felis catus naturally infected by) Leishmania infantum

• Grant number: 19/24368-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: June 01, 2020 - May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
• Grantee: Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Carla Alexandra Soares Maia ; Diogo Tiago da Silva ; Eunice Aparecida Bianchi Galati ; Fredy Galvis Ovallos ; Julio Cesar Pereira Spada ; Wilma Aparecida Starke Buzetti

Abstract

Leishmaniasis are important diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, capable of infecting humans and other species of wild and domestic mammals. The main vector of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil is Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lu. Longipalpis). Feline Leishmaniasis (LF) cases with or without clinical signs have been described in several continents, with reports of infection by different Leishmania species. From the first evidence of the transmissibility of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of VL in Brazil, from a domestic feline to xenodiagnostic sand flies, the cat has become considered a potential reservoir host of the disease in endemic regions. The lack of early diagnosis of LF in these areas may imply that the animal continues to represent a potential risk of leishmanias transmission to vectors. Due to the presented aspects and the relevance of the LF, which has been increasingly reported in endemic regions, it is intended to evaluate, by means of xenodiagnostic examination, domestic cats naturally infected with Leishmania infantum with and without clinical signs of the disease, coming from the region. endemic for VL, the role of these animals in the cycle of VL transmission in urban areas. It is hoped that from the results it will be possible to evaluate whether the presence or absence of clinical signs in animals interferes with the sandfly infectivity and, therefore, assist in elucidating the reservoir role of the domestic cat in the Visceral Leishmaniasis cycle. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

VIOTI, GEOVANNA; DA SILVA, MARIANA DANTAS; GALVIS-OVALLOS, FREDY; ALVES, MARIA LUANA; DA SILVA, DIOGO TIAGO; FRANCO LEONEL, JOAO AUGUSTO; BALBINI PEREIRA, NUNO WOLFGANG; BENASSI, JULIA CRISTINA; PEREIRA SPADA, JULIO CESAR; MAIA, CARLA; et al. Xenodiagnosis in four domestic cats naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES, JUL 2021. (16/08018-4, 19/24368-3)