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Research article
Andrea Zatelli
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0001-7710
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Background A large number of animal species are susceptible to Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in endemic areas, including domestic and wild felids such as tigers (Panthera tigris). Knowledge on the infection of this endangered species is still at its infancy, and therefore this study aims to identify clinical presentation and clinicopathological findings of tigers naturally infected by L. infantum.
Results Tigers either L. infantum-positive (group A) or -negative (group B) were apparently healthy or presented visceral leishmaniasis unrelated conditions, except for one animal in which a large non-healing cutaneous lesion was observed. However, histological exam and immunohistochemistry carried out on the lesion excluded the presence of L. infantum amastigotes. Biochemical analysis showed that the average concentration of total proteins, globulins and haptoglobin were significantly higher (p<0.01, p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively), while the albumin/globulin ratio significantly lower (p=0.05) in group A compared with group B. The biochemical alterations were partially confirmed by the serum protein electrophoresis results revealing a significant increase in the total protein value (p=0.01) and hypergammaglobulinemia (p=0.03) but an unmodified albumin/globulin ratio in group A.
Conclusions In this study tigers infected by L. infantum have shown to be mainly asymptomatic. The absence of clinical signs may lead veterinarians to overlook leishmaniasis in animals kept in captivity. Therefore, diagnostic and screening tests as serology should be part of routinely surveillance programs to be performed on tigers in zoological gardens located in endemic areas. Though only few protein-related laboratory abnormalities were recorded in infected animals, they could provide diagnostic clues for a first suspicion of L. infantum infection in tigers. Indeed, considering the high risk of zoonotic transmission in heavily frequented environment as zoos, a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection is of pivotal importance.
Keywords
tiger, leishmaniasis, symptomatology, laboratory abnormalities, dysproteinemia
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Veterinary Research.
Version 3
Posted 05 Jun, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 05 Jun, 2020
Editor assigned
On 31 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 30 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 30 May, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 22 May, 2020
Editor assigned
On 15 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 14 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 14 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 12 Apr, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 11 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Mar, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 22 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 19 Feb, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 12 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 10 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 04 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 03 Feb, 2020
Metrics
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PDF Downloads: ...
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Subject Areas
Large Animal Medicine
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See the published version of this preprint at BMC Veterinary Research.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Andrea Zatelli
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0001-7710
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Veterinary Research.
Version 3
Posted 05 Jun, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 05 Jun, 2020
Editor assigned
On 31 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 30 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 30 May, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 22 May, 2020
Editor assigned
On 15 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 14 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 14 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 12 Apr, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 11 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Mar, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 22 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 19 Feb, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 12 Feb, 2020
Editor assigned
On 10 Feb, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 04 Feb, 2020
Editor invited
On 03 Feb, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Large Animal Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Veterinary Research.
Background A large number of animal species are susceptible to Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in endemic areas, including domestic and wild felids such as tigers (Panthera tigris). Knowledge on the infection of this endangered species is still at its infancy, and therefore this study aims to identify clinical presentation and clinicopathological findings of tigers naturally infected by L. infantum.
Results Tigers either L. infantum-positive (group A) or -negative (group B) were apparently healthy or presented visceral leishmaniasis unrelated conditions, except for one animal in which a large non-healing cutaneous lesion was observed. However, histological exam and immunohistochemistry carried out on the lesion excluded the presence of L. infantum amastigotes. Biochemical analysis showed that the average concentration of total proteins, globulins and haptoglobin were significantly higher (p<0.01, p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively), while the albumin/globulin ratio significantly lower (p=0.05) in group A compared with group B. The biochemical alterations were partially confirmed by the serum protein electrophoresis results revealing a significant increase in the total protein value (p=0.01) and hypergammaglobulinemia (p=0.03) but an unmodified albumin/globulin ratio in group A.
Conclusions In this study tigers infected by L. infantum have shown to be mainly asymptomatic. The absence of clinical signs may lead veterinarians to overlook leishmaniasis in animals kept in captivity. Therefore, diagnostic and screening tests as serology should be part of routinely surveillance programs to be performed on tigers in zoological gardens located in endemic areas. Though only few protein-related laboratory abnormalities were recorded in infected animals, they could provide diagnostic clues for a first suspicion of L. infantum infection in tigers. Indeed, considering the high risk of zoonotic transmission in heavily frequented environment as zoos, a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection is of pivotal importance.
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