Logo image
New Means of Canine Leishmaniasis Transmission in North America: The Possibility of Transmission to Humans Still Unknown
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

New Means of Canine Leishmaniasis Transmission in North America: The Possibility of Transmission to Humans Still Unknown

Christine A Petersen
Interdisciplinary perspectives on infectious diseases, Vol.2009, pp.1-5
2009
DOI: 10.1155/2009/802712
PMCID: PMC2695953
PMID: 19753139
url
https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/802712View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

At present it is not possible to determine in advance the outcome of Leishmania infantum infection. Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Le. infantum , is a natural disease process which offers a insight into the interaction of the host and resultant disease outcome. Canine VL results in the same altered pathophysiology and immunodysregulation seen in humans. VL in US dogs is likely to be transmitted primarily via nontraditional, nonvector means. VL mediated by Le. infantum is endemic in U.S. Foxhound dogs, with vertical transmission likely to be the novel primary means of transmission. This population of dogs offers an opportunity to identify host factors of natural disease. Prevention of human clinical visceral leishmaniasis can occur only by better understanding the disease ecology of the primary reservoir host: the dog.
Review

Details

Metrics

17 Record Views
Logo image