Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part two

Guadalupe Miró*, Luis Cardoso, Maria Grazia Pennisi, Gaetano Oliva, Gad Baneth

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

206 Scopus citations

Abstract

Canine leishmaniosis is a widely spread zoonosis that is potentially fatal to humans and dogs. Infection with Leishmania infantum is considerably more prevalent than clinical disease, and infected dogs with no signs of disease might, potentially, transmit infection. Diagnosis of asymptomatic infection by serology is insufficient and PCR markedly increases its sensitivity. A new therapy exclusively for canine leishmaniosis is needed because current drugs do not reliably eliminate infection and might provoke resistance. Protection against sand-fly bites by topical insecticides is effective in reducing infection, and recent development of vaccines has indicated that prevention by vaccination is feasible. Integrated prevention with topical insecticides reducing the feeding of vectors and vaccination blocking early infection would be the basis of successful control programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)371-377
Number of pages7
JournalTrends in Parasitology
Volume24
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2008

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