Nitric oxide detection in feline macrophages infected by Leishmania infantum

Abstract

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum. Dogs are considered the most important urban reservoirs of this parasite due to the high rate of infection and transmission to humans. The disease has been increasing in cats, leading to the hypothesis that they also play an active role in the disease as reservoirs. However, feline leishmaniasis is still neglected. Immunocompromised cats due to viral disease or immunosuppressive treatments seem more predisposed to contracting the disease and presenting clinical symptoms. On the other hand, when immunocompetent, they seem to have a more efficient immune response than that of dogs, in addition to being less affected by diseases transmitted by arthropods. In dogs, an efficient immune response is associated with cellular activation of the Th1 type with the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, TNF-± and IFN-³ that activate macrophages, inducing them to carry out phagocytosis and destroy the parasite through the action of oxide. nitric (NO). In felines, it is known that the production of IFN-³ occurs after stimulation with leishmania antigens. In this way, we intend to evaluate in vitro whether feline macrophages infected with Leishmania infantum without any other stimulus are producers of nitric oxide, the main microbicidal mechanism against the parasite.