Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in rats and sand flies in the urban sewers of Barcelona, Spain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Classically, dogs have been considered to be the only reservoir of leishmaniasis in urban areas. However, in a previous study, we found a 33.3% prevalence of Leishmania infantum in the spleens of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) sampled in the underground sewer system of the city of Barcelona (Spain). The aim of the present study was to verify, using molecular methods, the potential reservoir role of these rats in the same sewer system.

Methods

A sensitive real-time PCR (qPCR) assay, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were carried out to identify and quantify the presence of L. infantum DNA in sand fly individuals captured in the same underground sewer system of Barcelona as in our previous study and in the spleens and ears of rats captured in the same sewer

SUBMITTER: Galan-Puchades MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9201797 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature