Can equids be a reservoir of Leishmania braziliensis in endemic areas?
Authors: Truppel Jessé Henrique, Otomura Flavio, Teodoro Ueslei, Massafera Rubens, da Costa-Ribeiro Magda Clara Vieira, Catarino Carolina Motter, Dalagrana Luana, Costa Ferreira Maria Eugênia Moreira, Thomaz-Soccol Vanete
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equids as Potential Leishmania braziliensis Reservoirs Cutaneous leishmaniasis remains endemic in several regions, yet the role of equine animals in disease transmission cycles has remained unclear. Researchers in this 2014 study combined serological testing (ELISA) and molecular methods (PCR with DNA sequencing) to investigate Leishmania infection in 227 equids—horses, donkeys, and mules—living in endemic areas, revealing seroprevalence of 11.0% and PCR positivity of 16.3%, with horses representing the majority of infected animals across both detection methods. DNA sequencing confirmed 100% similarity to *Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis*, establishing definitively that equids carry the same parasite species responsible for human cutaneous leishmaniasis rather than non-pathogenic variants. The higher molecular detection rate compared to antibody titre suggests either recent infections or chronic subclinical carriage, positioning equids as potential peridomiciliary reservoirs that could maintain phlebotomine vector populations and sustain transmission cycles. For practitioners in endemic regions, these findings underscore the need to consider equine leishmaniasis as both an animal health concern and a potential epidemiological link in human disease prevention strategies, particularly where horses, donkeys, or mules are kept in proximity to human habitation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Equids in leishmaniasis-endemic areas are infected with L. braziliensis and may serve as blood meal sources for sand flies, potentially maintaining parasite transmission cycles in peridomestic environments
- •Horses show higher infection rates than donkeys or mules; monitor equid health and consider disease surveillance in endemic regions
- •Infected equids could represent a zoonotic risk factor; implement vector control measures around stabled animals in cutaneous leishmaniasis-endemic areas
Key Findings
- •11.0% (25/227) of equids were seropositive for Leishmania sp by ELISA
- •16.3% (37/227) of equids were PCR positive for L. braziliensis DNA
- •Infection detected in horses (n=30 PCR positive), donkeys (n=5), and mules (n=2)
- •DNA sequencing showed 100% similarity with Viannia complex, confirming L. braziliensis in equid populations in endemic regions