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Background <p>Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is caused by <i>Leishmania</i> species. While vertical transmission is the primary route of CanL transmission in the USA, the role of sand fly vectors in its transmission and the prevalence in the broader pet population remain under-investigated. Diagnosis of CanL may include serology, PCR, or histopathology. However, ELISA tests are seldom used for the diagnosis of CanL in the USA despite their preference in endemic regions.</p> Methods <p>Firstly, a serological and molecular survey was conducted in Oklahoma and Texas using the SNAP™ <i>Leishmania</i> Test (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) on canine blood or serum, while serum only was used for commercial indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) testing. Molecular testing for <i>Leishmania</i> spp. included targeting segments of the small subunit rRNA gene by qPCR, the minicircle kinetoplast using a dPCR assay (QIAGEN), and a confirmatory Vector-borne Disease Panel (Antech Diagnostics). Secondly, sand fly trapping and testing were conducted in Oklahoma and Texas with morphological and molecular identification targeting the <i>ITS-2</i> gene, as well as qPCR for <i>Leishmania</i> spp. Finally, a nationwide serological survey of apparently healthy dogs was conducted using the SNAP <i>Leishmania</i> Test and confirmatory testing with a commercial IFA test.</p> Results <p>In the regional survey, seroprevalence was 0.61% (2/328; CI 0.07–2.0) with the SNAP <i>Leishmania</i> Test and 4.35% (6/138; CI 2.0–9.0) via the IFA test. <i>Leishmania</i> spp. DNA was not detected in any of the tested blood samples (<i>n</i> = 253). <i>Psathyromyia shannoni</i> (<i>n</i> = 8) were collected from Denton and Grayson Counties, Texas, with no detection of <i>Leishmania</i> spp. DNA. The nationwide prevalence of <i>Leishmania</i> spp. antibodies was 0.35% (9/2,515; CI 0.16–0.68) in non-Foxhound pet dogs from 48 states. Notably, all positive samples on the SNAP <i>Leishmania</i> Test were positive on IFA testing.</p> Conclusions <p><i>Leishmania</i> seropositive animals were found in Texas and Oklahoma, as other infections were demonstrated by the vector-borne panel. The sand fly vector role could not be determined due to limited collection of specimens. Nationwide survey demonstrated a low prevalence of <i>Leishmania</i> antibodies. The methods used in this study (SNAP <i>Leishmania</i> Test and IFA) constitute useful tools for canine leishmaniosis surveys, and sample choices should be taken into account.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Serological and molecular surveillance of leishmaniosis in dogs across the United States

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月1日

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  • Daniel Felipe Barrantes Murillo,
  • Rachel C. Smith,
  • K. Wade Burton,
  • Chengming Wang,
  • Theresa Wood,
  • Subarna Barua,
  • Guilherme G. Verocai,
  • Maureen A. Kelly,
  • Pablo D. Jimenez Castro,
  • Christian M. Leutenegger,
  • Jeremiah T. Saliki,
  • Kathryn T. Duncan

摘要

Background

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is caused by Leishmania species. While vertical transmission is the primary route of CanL transmission in the USA, the role of sand fly vectors in its transmission and the prevalence in the broader pet population remain under-investigated. Diagnosis of CanL may include serology, PCR, or histopathology. However, ELISA tests are seldom used for the diagnosis of CanL in the USA despite their preference in endemic regions.

Methods

Firstly, a serological and molecular survey was conducted in Oklahoma and Texas using the SNAP™ Leishmania Test (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) on canine blood or serum, while serum only was used for commercial indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) testing. Molecular testing for Leishmania spp. included targeting segments of the small subunit rRNA gene by qPCR, the minicircle kinetoplast using a dPCR assay (QIAGEN), and a confirmatory Vector-borne Disease Panel (Antech Diagnostics). Secondly, sand fly trapping and testing were conducted in Oklahoma and Texas with morphological and molecular identification targeting the ITS-2 gene, as well as qPCR for Leishmania spp. Finally, a nationwide serological survey of apparently healthy dogs was conducted using the SNAP Leishmania Test and confirmatory testing with a commercial IFA test.

Results

In the regional survey, seroprevalence was 0.61% (2/328; CI 0.07–2.0) with the SNAP Leishmania Test and 4.35% (6/138; CI 2.0–9.0) via the IFA test. Leishmania spp. DNA was not detected in any of the tested blood samples (n = 253). Psathyromyia shannoni (n = 8) were collected from Denton and Grayson Counties, Texas, with no detection of Leishmania spp. DNA. The nationwide prevalence of Leishmania spp. antibodies was 0.35% (9/2,515; CI 0.16–0.68) in non-Foxhound pet dogs from 48 states. Notably, all positive samples on the SNAP Leishmania Test were positive on IFA testing.

Conclusions

Leishmania seropositive animals were found in Texas and Oklahoma, as other infections were demonstrated by the vector-borne panel. The sand fly vector role could not be determined due to limited collection of specimens. Nationwide survey demonstrated a low prevalence of Leishmania antibodies. The methods used in this study (SNAP Leishmania Test and IFA) constitute useful tools for canine leishmaniosis surveys, and sample choices should be taken into account.

Graphical Abstract