Summary
Currently no information is available regarding canine arthropod-borne parasites in Albania and the Kosovo, especially the zoonotic protozoan Leishmania infantum. Presumably autochtonous cases of human leishmaniosis have been described for some areas (Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakovo, Pec, Malisevo; Albania: Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Shkodra, Vlore). In order to investigate the infection status of dogs of different origin sera from 272 animals (151 from Albania – Tirana, Kamza and Durres; 121 from the Kosovo – Gjakovo, Ferizaj and Prishtina) were obtained. Corresponding blood samples were available from 36 Albanian stray dogs. Antibody titres were determined by Indirect Immunofluorescence Test against L. infantum and Babesia canis. Antigens of Dirofilaria immitis were determined using the DiroCheck®-Test. Blood samples were tested for L. infantum, B. canis, Hepatozoon canis, D. immitis and Dirofilaria repens by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Specific antibodies against Babesia were found in 7.3% of the animals, against Leishmania in 3.3% and 7.0% were positive for D. immitis antigen. DNA of Babesia, Leishmania or D. repens was detected in 11.1%, respectively. H. canis was found in 52.8% of the blood samples. D. immitis DNA was not detected. Since the Babesia- and Leishmania-PCR-positive animals were all serologically negative it can be assumed that infections were acquired only recently. All Leishmania-positive animals were stray dogs. These animals contribute to the maintenance of Leishmania transmission in endemic areas, and a control of the canine stray population should be considered.
Zusammenfassung
Über die Verbreitung arthropodenübertragener Parasiten bei Hunden in Albanien und im Kosovo, insbesondere des Zoonoseerregers Leishmania infantum, gibt es keine aktuellen Informationen. Vermutlich autochthone Fälle von humaner Leishmaniose sind aus einigen Gegenden (Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakovo, Pec, Malisevo; Albanien: Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Shkodra, Vlore) berichtet worden. Um den Infektionsstatus von Hunden verschiedener Herkunft und Haltung zu erheben, wurde Serum von 272 Tieren (151 aus Albanien – Tirana, Kamza, Durres; 121 aus dem Kosovo – Gjakovo, Ferizaj und Prishtina) gewonnen. Von 36 Streunern aus Albanien standen korrespondierende Blutproben zur Verfügung. Für alle Tiere wurde der klinische Status erhoben. Die Serumproben wurden mittels Indirektem Immunfluoreszenztest auf Antikörper gegen L. infantum und Babesia canis sowie mit dem DiroCheck®-Test auf Antigen von Dirofilaria immitis untersucht. Die Blutproben wurden mittels Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR) auf das Vorhandensein von L. infantum, B. canis, Hepatozoon canis, D. immitis und D. repens überprüft. Serologisch waren 7,3% der Tiere positiv für Babesien-Antikörper, 3,3% für Leishmanien-Antikörper und 7,0% für Dirofilarien-Antigen. In der PCR erwiesen sich jeweils 11,1% der Tiere positiv für Babesien, Leishmanien oder D. repens. H. canis war in 52,8% der Blutproben zu finden. D. immitis war mittels PCR nicht nachweisbar. Da die Babesia- und Leishmania-PCR-positiven Tiere serologisch negativ waren, ist anzunehmen, dass es sich um gerade erworbene Infektionen handelte. Alle Leishmania-positiven Tiere waren Streuner. Diese Tiere sind für die Aufrechterhaltung der Leishmanienübertragung in den endemischen Gebieten mit verantwortlich, und eine Kontrolle der Streunerpopulation sollte in Betracht gezogen werden.
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Lazri, T., Duscher, G., Edelhofer, R. et al. Infektionen mit arthropodenübertragenen Parasiten bei Hunden im Kosovo und in Albanien unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Leishmanieninfektionen. Wien Klin Wochenschr 120 (Suppl 4), 54–58 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-008-1076-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-008-1076-4