Serological, molecular survey of Leishmania infantum in a population of Iberian lynxes
Leishmania infantum, the sand fly-transmitted protozoan parasite responsible for leishmaniasis in humans, dogs and cats, is endemic in the Iberian Peninsula. However, the impact of L. infantum infection on the conservation of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is unknown.
This study describes for the first time the occurrence of L. infantum infection among a population of reintroduced and wild-born L. pardinus living in the Portuguese Guadiana Valley Park.
The presence of infection was addressed by molecular detection of Leishmania kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) in 35 lynxes, with further confirmation of L. infantum species performed by an internally transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 sequencing.
Eight blood samples were positive for kDNA, and ITS-1 sequencing confirmed the presence of L. infantum in two of those samples. Exposure to Leishmania was screened in a group of 36 lynxes using an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and a multi-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using SPLA, rK39 and CPX as Leishmania-specific antigens.
Four animals presented a positive IFAT at a dilution of 1:40. Eight samples were considered seropositive to all ELISA Leishmania-specific antigens. Researchers found an agreement between PCR, IFAT and all ELISA antigens for 1 in 27 samples.
Researchers concluded that these results highlight the susceptibility of autochthonous L. pardinus to L. infantum infection. Further investigation is required to assess the impact of L. infantum infection on this wild species conservation.
Clara M Lima, et al. “Serological and Molecular Survey of Leishmania infantum in a Population of Iberian Lynxes (Lynx pardinus).” Microorganisms. 11 December 2022. 10(12):2447. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122447.
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