Molecular detection ofLeishmaniaspp. in road-killed wild mammals in the Central Western area of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Background Road-killed wild animals have been classified as sentinels for detecting such zoonotic pathogens asLeishmaniaspp., offering new opportunities for epidemiological studies of this infection.Methods This study aimed to evaluate the presence ofLeishmaniaspp. andLeishmania chagasiDNA by PCR in tissue samples (lung, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, mesenteric lymph node and adrenal gland) from 70 road-killed wild animals.Results DNA was detected in tissues of oneCavia aperea(Brazilian guinea pig), fiveCerdocyon thous(crab-eating fox), oneDasypus septemcinctus(seven-banded armadillo), twoDidelphis albiventris(white-eared opossum), oneHydrochoerus hydrochoeris(capybara), twoMyrmecophaga tridactyla(giant anteater), oneProcyon cancrivorus(crab-eating raccoon), twoSphiggurus spinosus(porcupine) and oneTamandua tetradactyla(lesser anteater) from different locations in the Central Western part of São Paulo state. TheLeishmania chagasiDNA were confirmed in mesenteric lymph node of oneCerdocyon thous. Results indicated common infection in wild animals.Conclusions The approach employed herein proved useful for detecting the environmental occurrence ofLeishmaniaspp. andL. chagasi, as well as determining natural wild reservoirs and contributing to understand the host-parasite interaction.

Keywords

• Road-killed animal
• Leishmaniaspp
• Leishmania chagasi
• PCR
• Zoonosis