Tue, 2013-04-16 13:28 | 
Summary of PhD Thesis
Due to the limited availability of studies documenting the prevalence of L. infantum infection in cats from different geographical areas and their ability to infect phlebotomine vectors, the role of domestic cats in the epidemiology of human and canine leishmaniosis is largely unknown (Poli et al., 2002; Solano-Gallego et al., 2007). While dogs are the primary reservoir for L. infantum (Baneth et al., 2008), cats may play the role of a secondary reservoir, considering: a) the highly frequent detection of parasitemia in cats from endemic areas (Greece and Thessaly included), b) the non-symptomatic nature of L. infantum infection in cats and c) the limited availability of data on the cat's ability to infect phlebotomine sandflies (Pennisi 2002; Mancianti 2004; Solano-Gallego et al., 2007; Tabar et al., 2008; Marcos et al., 2009; Hatam et al., 2010; Navarro et al., 2010).
The aims of the study include the determination of Leishmania spp. infection prevalence in cats and the investigation of the epidemiological role of cats as a secondary reservoir host of the parasite based on the results of cytology (skin lesions, lymph node, bone marrow and conjuctival smear), serology (IFAT and ELISA), direct immunofluorescence of skin sections and Leishmania DNA detection (PCR on skin and blood samples). The clinical signs, clinicopathological findings and histopathology from skin lesions will also be taken into account. Comorbid conditions and diseases and their effect on the clinical picture and laboratory abnormalities in these cats will also be studied through the results of the examinations mentioned above.
References
Baneth G, Koutinas AF, Solano-Gallego L, Bourdeau P, Ferrer L. Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one. Trends Parasitol. 2008;24:324-3
Poli A, Abramo F, Barsotti P, Leva S, Gramiccia M, Ludovisi A, et al. Feline leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in Italy. Vet Parasitol. 2002;106:181-91.
Solano-Gallego L, Rodriguez-Cortes A, Iniesta L, Quintana J, Pastor J, Espada Y, et al. Cross-sectional serosurvey of feline leishmaniasis in ecoregions around the Northwestern Mediterranean. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene. 2007;76:676-80.
Pennisi MG. A high prevalence of feline leishmaniasis in southern Italy. Proceedings of the Second International Canine Leishmaniasis Forum, Sevilla, Spain. 200239-48.
Mancianti F. Feline leishmaniasis: what's the epidemiological role of the cat?. Parassitologia. 2004;46:203-6.
Tabar MD, Altet L, Francino O, Sanchez A, Ferrer L, Roura X. Vector-borne infections in cats: molecular study in Barcelona area (Spain). Vet Parasitol. 2008;151:332-6.
Hatam GR, Adnani SJ, Asgari Q, Fallah E, Motazedian MH, Sadjjadi SM, et al. First report of natural infection in cats with Leishmania infantum in Iran. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2010;1
Marcos R, Santos M, Malhao F, Pereira R, Fernandes AC, Montenegro L, et al. Pancytopenia in a cat with visceral leishmaniasis. Vet Clin Pathol. 2009;38:201-5.
Navarro JA, Sanchez J, Penafiel-Verdu C, Buendia AJ, Altimira J, Vilafranca M. Histopathological lesions in 15 cats with leishmaniosis. J Comp Pathol. 2010;143:297-302.
