been acknowledged as a significant public health concern. The World Health Organisation reports that over one billion people reside in areas endemic to leishmaniasis, placing them at risk of infection. The disease manifests in three distinct syndromes in humans: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral. Annually, there are approximately 30,000 new cases of visceral leishmaniasis and over one million new cases of the cutaneous form. Remarkably, leishmaniasis ranks as the second leading parasitic cause of death worldwide, following malaria.
The causative agent of leishmaniasis is an intracellular protozoan parasite known as Leishmania spp., transmitted through sandflies. Traditionally, dogs have been identified as the primary reservoir, but recent research suggests the involvement of other species in the transmission cycle.
Infected horses may exhibit signs of cutaneous leishmaniasis, manifesting as nodules on various body parts such as the head, ear, scrotum, legs, and neck. These lesions, which can be singular or multiple, often present with ulceration. However, some horses may carry the infection without displaying any visible signs, potentially serving as silent reservoir hosts
As our understanding of the dynamics of leishmaniasis transmission expands, it becomes increasingly important to consider a variety of animal species, including horses, in efforts to mitigate the impact of this disease on both animal and human populations.
Researchers from the Veterinary Faculty at Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU Valencia, Spain, conducted a study aimed at elucidating the potential role horses may play in the transmission of leishmaniosis, a parasitic disease. Lola Martínez-Sáez and her colleagues undertook an analysis of the prevalence and factors associated with L. infantum infection in seemingly healthy horses. A full report of the work is published in the online journal Animals.
The team gathered epidemiological data and serum samples from 167 apparently healthy horses in the Valencia region of eastern Spain. They used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess the presence of L. infantum during two distinct periods: December 2022 to January 2023 and May 2023 to June 2023.
The results revealed that 27.5% of apparently healthy horses tested positive for anti-leishmania antibodies, and infection was confirmed through real-time PCR. Interestingly, horses with a calm temperament and those residing outdoors exhibited a higher prevalence of infection.
Additionally, the study unveiled a seasonal variation in equine Leishmania spp. infections, with a notable spike during the spring months, aligning with higher average temperatures. This observation underscores the significant influence of climate on the prevalence of leishmaniosis, raising concerns about the potential impact of climate change on the disease's future trajectory.
From a One Health perspective, the researchers emphasize the need for a holistic approach to combat leishmaniosis. Given the close contact between horses and humans, horses may act as silent reservoirs, facilitating parasite transmission. As a result, the study advocates for the incorporation of preventive measures for horses, such as regular use of repellents, to control the spread of leishmaniosis across species.
For more details, see:
Prevalence and Factors Related to Leishmania infantum Infection in Healthy Horses (Equus caballus) from Eastern Spain.
Martínez-Sáez L, Dulac Q, Montaner-Angoiti E, Marín-García PJ, Llobat L.
Animals. 2023; 13(18):2889.
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