The hare (Lepus granatensis) as potential sylvatic reservoir of Leishmania infantum in Spain.

Xenodiagnosis of Leishmania infection in hares (Lepus granatensis) from a focus of human leishmaniasis in Fuenlabrada at southwestern Madrid region (Spain) proved that they are infective to Phlebotomus perniciosus. Molecular characterization of isolates obtained from sand flies infected after xenodiagnosis demonstrates that hares were infected by Leishmania infantum. This is the first evidence of the transmission of L. infantum from hares to sand flies. Moreover the results confirm the role that these animals can play as wild reservoirs of leishmaniasis for the recent outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Madrid.

Molina R ，Jiménez MI ，Cruz I ，Iriso A ，Martín-Martín I ，Sevillano O ，Melero S ，Bernal J ... -  《-》

Phlebotomine sand fly survey in the focus of leishmaniasis in Madrid, Spain (2012-2014): seasonal dynamics, Leishmania infantum infection rates and blood meal preferences.

González E ，Jiménez M ，Hernández S ，Martín-Martín I ，Molina R ... -  《Parasites & Vectors》

Could wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be reservoirs for Leishmania infantum in the focus of Madrid, Spain?

Xenodiagnosis has previously proved that hares (Lepus granatensis) from a focus of leishmaniasis in the southwestern Madrid region (Spain) are infective to Phlebotomus perniciosus, the only vector in the area, thus playing a probable role as active reservoirs in a sylvatic transmission cycle linked to the usual domestic one. Although actions have been taken to reduce the population of this lagomorph, a high population of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is present in the area, which shows detectable anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies and a large number of individuals with DNA of this parasite. With the aim to elucidate the role of this lagomorph in the focus, xenodiagnostic studies carried out with wild rabbits captured in the area demonstrate that they are able to transmit L. infantum to P. perniciosus. Moreover, the study of blood meal preferences of P. perniciosus caught in the focus during and entomological survey shows strong evidence that rabbits are contributing to the maintenance of a high sand fly population in the area. These findings suggest that wild rabbits could play some role in Leishmania transmission.

Jiménez M ，González E ，Martín-Martín I ，Hernández S ，Molina R ... -  《-》

Rabbit trypanosome detection in Phlebotomus perniciosus sand flies from the leishmaniasis outbreak in Madrid, Spain.

Phlebotomine sand flies are known vectors of several pathogens. In Spain, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi are the proven vectors of Leishmania infantum. Since 2010 a human leishmaniasis outbreak has been notified in Madrid region, central Spain. Studies have shown that P. perniciosus is the only vector confirmed in the focus area and that rabbits and hares are the wild reservoirs incriminated in the cycle of the parasite in the outbreak. Trypanosoma nabiasi is a trypanosomatid found in wild rabbits and its presence has been reported in wild rabbits from southern Spain. Moreover, co-infection with L. infantum was found in some of these animals. However, in Madrid region, there is no information about the transmission of this trypanosome in rabbits. Hence, in this study we investigate if T. nabiasi could be circulating in the aforementioned leishmaniasis focus. Wild P. perniciosus female sand flies were captured in the affected area and analyzed using molecular methods. T. nabiasi DNA was detected in 20 out of 155 female sand flies fed on rabbits by amplification and subsequent sequencing of ITS1 and SSU rRNA fragments. Therefore, we describe for the first time the presence of T. nabiasi and its co-infection with L. infantum in P. perniciosus female sand flies. More investigation is needed in order to elucidate the role of P. perniciosus in the transmission of T. nabiasi among rabbits and its potential consequences.

González E ，Molina R ，Jiménez M 《-》

Detection of Leishmania infantum and identification of blood meals in Phlebotomus perniciosus from a focus of human leishmaniasis in Madrid, Spain.

Jiménez M ，González E ，Iriso A ，Marco E ，Alegret A ，Fúster F ，Molina R ... -  《-》