Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in non-human primates from Bauru Zoo, SP

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoa belonging to the order Kinetoplastida, family Trypanosomatidae, and genus Leishmania, and the vectors are flies belonging to the genus Lutzomyia. It is widely distributed throughout the world, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, considered a neglected and very important public health disease. Among the forms of presentation, leishmaniasis can manifest as visceral and cutaneous form. There are different species of Leishmania involved in the transmission of the disease, and Leishmania (L.) infantum is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis and several species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis, e.g. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, Leishmania (L.) major, Leishmania (L.) mexicana, L. (L.) amazonensis, and other species. Although the dog is considered the main reservoir of leishmaniasis, studies have shown that many domestic and wild animals can act as reservoirs. Some primates are associated with the enzootic cycle of leishmaniasis. Natural infection by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma and Leishmania in wild mammals are common in nature. In relation to New World primates, different infections are caused by various agents that also affect humans, particularly infections caused by Leishmania spp. Therefore, we intend to investigate the occurrence of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in non-human primates from the Municipal Zoological Park Bauru (SP), associating the techniques of Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Leishmania (L.) infantum, Leishmania (L.) major, Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, L. (V.) braziliensis and Leishmania (L.) mexicana from blood samples from these animals and subsequent genetic sequence, allowing identification of animals actually infected and the role of these reservoirs for leishmaniasis. Thus, this study aims to investigate the epidemiological situation of these zoonoses, and therefore suggest measures to control health management on site. (AU)