May 6, 2024 They link Leishmania parasite load in wild rabbits in Spain to its incidence in humans.

May 6, 2024

A new research recently published by researchers from the University of Granada analyzed the transmission dynamics of the virus. Leishmania childhoodsuggesting the involvement of rabbits as wild reservoirs.

Prevalence of infection L. infantum in the wild rabbit reservoir it was 86% (270/314) for both the two PCR methods and for PCR-ELISA, while for qPCR it was 75.8% (238/314); this value ranged from 18.2% to 100% in all natural geographic regions.

Only 14% of 314 wild rabbits tested negative for the virus. L. infantum in three tissue sections using both PCR methods used.

The study emphasizes that a positive correlation was found between the parasitic load of the skin in wild rabbits and human morbidity, while the presence of the same genotypes was proven. L. infantum in rabbits and humans, providing new epidemiological data and a biological basis for considering wild rabbits as a relevant wild reservoir L. infantum.

Fountain

Local risks Spain

More information about leishmaniasis in Spain

If you’re traveling, let us know!