Article
First report of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in South American territory and confirmation of Leishbunyavirus infecting this parasite in a mare
Registro en:
MENDES JUNIOR, Artur Augusto Velho et al. First report of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in South American territory and confirmation of Leishbunyavirus infecting this parasite in a mare. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Research Article, p. 1 - 28, Apr. 2023.
0074-0206
Autor
Mendes Junior, Artur Augusto Velho
Figueira, Camila Patrício Braga
Miranda, Luciana de Freitas Campos
Almeida, Adilson Benedito de
Cantanhêde, Lilian Motta
Fagundes, Aline
Pereira, Sandro Antônio
Menezes, Rodrigo Caldas
Cupolillo, Elisa
Resumen
Artigo de Pesquisa ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND Epidemiological data related to leishmaniasis or Leishmania infection in horses
are scarce. However, studies carried out in different regions in the world showed equids
parasitized by Leishmania braziliensis, L. infantum and L. martiniquensis.
OBJECTIVES Identify the Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in a mare, living
in Rio de Janeiro state (Brazil), and search the presence of Leishmania viruses in the isolated
parasite.
METHODS Isoenzymes and PCR targeting ITSrDNA region followed by sequencing were
conducted for typing the isolated parasite. A search for Leishmania virus infection was also
performed.
FINDINGS The mare presented skin nodules and ulcers in the left pinna caused by Leishmania
spp. that was detected by culture and PCR. The parasite was identified as Leishmania
(Mundinia) martiniquensis, infected by Leishbunyavirus (LBV), representing the first description
of this species in South America. The animal travelled to different Brazilian regions, but not to
outside the country.
MAIN CONCLUSIONS The worldwide distribution of L. martiniquensis and its infection by LBV
were confirmed in this study, indicating the autochthonous transmission cycle in Brazil. The
clinical profile of the disease in the mare, showing fast spontaneous healing of cutaneous
lesions, may indicate that skin lesions related to L. martiniquensis infection in horses might be
underdiagnosed.