ARCHIVED - Murcia researchers make advances in canine leishmaniosis diagnosis

Up to 35 per cent of dogs are infected with the disease in some parts of Spain

Researchers at the faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Murcia are making encouraging progress in their efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of diagnosing canine leishmaniosis, an infection which is believed to affect around 7 per cent of all dogs in Spain and up to 35 per cent in some areas.

Unfortunately it is expected that these incidence rates are likely to increase still further as the sand flies and mosquitoes which transmit leishmaniosis are spreading to more parts of the country due to the warming climate. Owners are recommended to have their dogs vaccinated against the disease in many parts of Spain, including the Region of Murcia.

Canine leishmaniosis is a potentially fatal disease if it is not diagnosed and treated early, and due to its being transmitted only by mosquito bites the majority of cases are reported between May and October, although with summers becoming longer that period is gradually being extended to include practically all of the year.

Symptoms in infected dogs include weight loss, inflammation of the lymph glands, skin eczema, nose bleeds, loss of appetite and various others. The condition can be diagnosed by means of visual examination, blood tests for anti-bodies and a biopsy of the lymph glands.

As for treatment, sometimes a single pharmaceutical is enough, but more commonly a combination of injections and tablets of medications such as Glucantime and Allopurinol is required. Normally around 20 to 30 injections are needed, followed by a course of tablets for 3 or 4 months.

But once infection has taken place the parasite remains in the dog: leishmaniosis is a chronic condition, and regular check-ups are required in which the animal’s general physical condition, weight and skin are examined and blood samples are tested.

The research team at the University of Murcia is undertaking a project concerning the commercial viability of new diagnostic markers and treatment monitoring with the support of the Fundación Séneca, attempting to develop analytical bio-markers which will help to evaluate the health and wellbeing of the animals infected. After years of clinical and analytical study a series of diagnostic markers have been discovered and these allow a more sensitive and exact way of monitoring the success of treatment.

The aim now is to evaluate the commercial viability of these bio-markers both in the laboratory and in clinical studies, and project leader José Joaquín Cerón Madrigal explains that they represent an innovative alternative to existing treatments with various advantages. Above all, they eliminate the possibility of false negative testing results due to their sensitivity and make it possible to determine whether the leishmaniosis in a dog ois active or not – in other words, whether it needs to be treated.

It should also be remembered that leishmaniosis, although it is most common in dogs, can also be transmitted to other animals including cats and to human beings: about 700 cases a year are diagnosed in humans, although healthy people generally present no symptoms as their immune systems combat the disease rapidly and effectively.

This only serves to underline the importance of the progress being made by the researchers in Murcia as it represents a significant contribution not only to the wellbeing of the canine population of Spain but also to general public health.

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/.