Wolbachia, filariae and Leishmania coinfection in dogs from a Mediterranean area. (20th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tabar, M.D.; Altet, L.; Martínez, V.; Roura, X.
• Is Part Of: Journal of small animal practice. Volume 54:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 174
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2013-02-20
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4510

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jsap12041-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p> <bold>In an endemic area for leishmaniosis and filariasis, coinfection can occur and the immunomodulation triggered by <italic>Wolbachia</italic> infection might influence the clinical signs and progression of both diseases. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of <italic>Wolbachia</italic> in dogs infected with <italic>Dirofilaria immitis</italic> and other filarial nematodes, to evaluate the prevalence of coinfection of <italic>Leishmania infantum</italic>, filariae and <italic>Wolbachia</italic> and their association with clinical presentation.</bold> </p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12041-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p> <bold>Polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect filarial species, <italic>Wolbachia</italic> species and <italic>Leishmania</italic> in 118 samples of dogs from southeastern Spain with leishmaniosis and/or filariasis.</bold> </p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12041-sec-0016" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p> <bold>Ninety‐eight dogs were infected with <italic>Leishmania</italic> and 49 had filarial infection (29 were coinfected with both). <italic>Wolbachia</italic> DNA was detected in 30·6% of filariae‐positive dogs (15/49). Dogs coinfected with <italic>Leishmania</italic> and filaria had more severe clinical signs. <italic>Wolbachia</italic> infection was significantly (P=0·026) more frequent in dogs that were not infected with <italic>Leishmania</italic>. There was no correlation between outcome and coinfection with these pathogens.</bold> </p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12041-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Clinical Significance</title> <p> <bold>This study highlights the increased sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of filariasis, confirms the presence of <italic>Wolbachia</italic> in dogs from the Mediterranean basin, shows the increased severity of clinical signs when <italic>Leishmania</italic>‐filarial coinfection is present and suggests a protective role of <italic>Wolbachia</italic> in leishmaniosis.</bold> </p> </sec> </abstract>