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Clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in tigers infected by Leishmania infantum.
- Source :
-
BMC veterinary research [BMC Vet Res] 2020 Jun 22; Vol. 16 (1), pp. 214. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 22. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Background: A large number of animal species are susceptible to Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in endemic areas, including domestic and wild felids such as tigers (Panthera tigris). Knowledge on the infection of this endangered species is still at its infancy, and therefore this study aims to identify clinical presentation and clinicopathological findings of tigers naturally infected by L. infantum.<br />Results: Tigers either L. infantum-positive (group A) or -negative (group B) were apparently healthy or presented visceral leishmaniasis unrelated conditions, except for one animal in which a large non-healing cutaneous lesion was observed. However, histological exam and immunohistochemistry carried out on the lesion excluded the presence of L. infantum amastigotes. Biochemical analysis showed that the average concentration of total proteins, globulins and haptoglobin were significantly higher (p < 0.01, p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively), while the albumin/globulin ratio significantly lower (p = 0.05) in group A compared with group B. The biochemical alterations were partially confirmed by the serum protein electrophoresis results revealing a significant increase in the total protein value (p = 0.01) and hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.03) but an unmodified albumin/globulin ratio in group A.<br />Conclusions: In this study tigers infected by L. infantum have shown to be mainly asymptomatic. The absence of clinical signs may lead veterinarians to overlook leishmaniasis in animals kept in captivity. Therefore, diagnostic and screening tests as serology should be part of routinely surveillance programs to be performed on tigers in zoological gardens located in endemic areas. Though only few protein-related laboratory abnormalities were recorded in infected animals, they could provide diagnostic clues for a first suspicion of L. infantum infection in tigers. Indeed, considering the high risk of zoonotic transmission in heavily frequented environment as zoos, a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection is of pivotal importance.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Animals, Zoo parasitology
Blood Proteins analysis
Endangered Species
Hypergammaglobulinemia parasitology
Hypergammaglobulinemia veterinary
Italy epidemiology
Leishmaniasis, Visceral blood
Leishmaniasis, Visceral diagnosis
Leishmaniasis, Visceral epidemiology
Leishmania infantum isolation & purification
Leishmaniasis, Visceral veterinary
Tigers parasitology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1746-6148
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC veterinary research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32571332
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02419-y