Author(s): Soares, Carla Sofia Alves
Date: 2014
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/16627
Origin: Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama
Subject(s): Leishmania infantum; Cat; Epidemiology; Immunopathology; Diagnosis; Prevention
Author(s): Soares, Carla Sofia Alves
Date: 2014
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/16627
Origin: Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama
Subject(s): Leishmania infantum; Cat; Epidemiology; Immunopathology; Diagnosis; Prevention
Abstract According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Leishmaniasis’ endemic areas have spread and the prevalence of the disease has increased, as well as the number of reported cases. Europe is one of the most affected continents concerning the risk of re-emergency of this zoonosis. Feline Leishmaniasis (FeL) was for the first time described in Algeria, 1912. The significance of the cat as a reservoir of Leishmania and not simply an alternative host seems to be gaining ground, mainly because: i) cats can present increased seropositivity between serology analysis; ii) cats can be infected during some months and thus are available for sand flies; iii) cats transmit the Leishmania agent in a competent form. Furthermore, cats have behavioral characteristics that contribute to the infection by Leishmania infantum, and as such, FeL has been reported worldwide. When clinical signs of FeL are present, they are usually cutaneous, with unspecific dermatological changes, that frequently occur in other feline diseases and if not diagnosed can contribute to an underestimation of the actual occurrence of the disease in cats. The low seroprevalence titers along with the commonly asymptomatic infection in cats can further contribute to the underestimation of FeL occurrence. This work aims to bring up to date the current status of FeL infection worldwide. It comprises a review of the most recent case reports and surveillance studies. Although currently limited, the most relevant and recent information on the parasite, vector, epidemiology, pathology, and immune response is presented, as well as available diagnostic and treatment strategies. The knowledge of the epidemiological and immunopathological features of FeL, in some aspects so different from the Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL), can be used as a tool in an attempt to prevent infection and decrease the hazard that FeL can embody for both humans and cats.