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Prevalence and factors associated with Leishmania spp. and Toxoplasma gondii infections in apparently healthy horses in Eastern Spain.
- Source :
-
Research in veterinary science [Res Vet Sci] 2024 May; Vol. 171, pp. 105236. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 21. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis are two of the most common parasitic zoonoses. Leishmaniasis is endemic to 98 countries around the world, whereas toxoplasmosis is widely distributed throughout the world, causing significant health expenditure. Horses can play a relevant role in the transmission of the disease, being a silent reservoir, as clinical signs are not common. Serum samples from 166 horses living in eastern Spain (Mediterranean basin) were analysed to determine the presence of antibodies against Leishmania spp. and T. gondii by ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.) The risk factors evaluated were the geographical area and the relative humidity and average temperature, and epidemiological factors such as sex, reproductive status, age, breed, morphotype, living with other domestic animals, use and access to the outdoors. Seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. and T. gondii infection was found 28.92%, and 16.27% respectively, whereas co-infection of the two parasites was found only in two males. Leishmania seroprevalence was high in castrated males and several mesodolichomorphic equine breeds used for teaching, as well as in outdoor animals. The most elevated seroprevalence was found in winter with higher levels of rainfall, whereas high seroprevalence of T. gondii was found in crossbreeding animals and those used for breeding. High seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. and T. gondii was found in horses of the Mediterranean basin. These data suggest that horses can act as a silent reservoir and that this species has high potential for transmission to humans, outdoor animals and in geographical areas with high average rainfall.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Male
Horses
Animals
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Prevalence
Spain epidemiology
Antibodies, Protozoan
Animals, Domestic
Risk Factors
Leishmania
Toxoplasma
Toxoplasmosis, Animal epidemiology
Toxoplasmosis, Animal parasitology
Leishmaniasis epidemiology
Leishmaniasis veterinary
Horse Diseases epidemiology
Horse Diseases parasitology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1532-2661
- Volume :
- 171
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Research in veterinary science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38531238
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105236