Spatial distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in Southwest Germany

S. I. Oerther, I. Steinhausen, S. Lorentz, A. Heitmann, R. Lühken, A. Krueger, T. J. Naucke, H. Jöst, J. Schmidt-Chanasit, N. Becker

Poster at the 7th International SOVE Congress, October 2017

Abstract: Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of several infectious pathogens and their distribution in Europe is changing due to globalization and climate change. Two phlebotomine species are known to be present in Germany: Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus mascittii. A longitudinal study along the Upper Rhine Valley was carried out in the federal states Baden-Württemberg (BW) and Rhineland-Palatinate (RP) from Aug 2015 to Sept 2017. In 2017 17 out of 99 locations were positive for phlebotomine sand flies. In the state BW, 2 new sites were identified and known positive sites could be confirmed. In the state RP 10 new sites out of 65 locations were identified positive. The majority of productive sites were located in old obsolete barns with clay soil within the villages close to humans.

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An ELISA for the early diagnosis of acute canine babesiosis detecting circulating antigen of large Babesia spp

Ramon M. Eichenberger, Saša Štefanić, Torsten J. Naucke, Mindaugas Šarkūnas, Gintaras Zamokas, Felix Grimm, Peter Deplazes

Veterinary Parasitology, Volume 243, 30 August 2017, Pages 162-168

Abstract: Babesia canis is the predominant Babesia species in dogs in Europe and is responsible for a severe and fatal disease. An increase in global pet tourism and a widening of the geographic distribution of the tick vector has led to the emergence of infections in areas where previously only imported cases have been reported. Due to the potential for rapid and serious disease progression, direct parasite detection by stained blood smears and light microscopy or DNA-based methods have traditionally been used for the diagnosis of acute infections. This study describes the production of a murine monoclonal antibody (‘mAb BcFIII 7/1/2’) that reacts to a 65 kDa corpuscular epitope present in B. canis-infected erythrocytes and can be used in an ELISA to detect circulating Babesia antigen during acute infections. The sensitivity of the ELISA was 100% (95%CI: 84.5–100) as determined using blood lysate samples from 27 dogs with acute B. canis infections. Sensitivity was reduced to 53.8% in 13 patent Babesia vogeli infections (95%CI: 26.1–79.6) based on the current test design using convalescent serum from a B. canis-infected dog. The specificity was determined to be 86.4% (95%CI: 64–96.4) using 22 samples from healthy canine blood donors. In the course of acute B. canis infections, the ELISA showed a positive result at the same time as a positive PCR result was recorded. This was 24 to 48 hours before parasites could be detected by light microscopy. Convalescent samples collected from 6 B. canis-infected dogs at least 14 days post treatment resulted in negative ELISA reactions.

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Leishmaniose-Infektionen in Deutschland

 Gefahr geht nicht nur von Sandmücken aus 

Torsten J. Naucke, Tierärztliche Umschau, April 2016, 71(4):130

Abstract: Die Zahl Leishmaniose-infizierter Hund esteigt in Deutschland durch den Import von Hunden aus Endemiegebieten und reisebegleitende Hunde immer mehr an. Lange Zeit ging man jedoch davon aus, dass für Hunde in Deutschland keine Ansteckungsgefahr besteht. Doch das stimmt wohl nicht. Die Tierärztliche Umschau sprach mit dem Parasitologen Dr. Torsten Naucke von der Universität Hohenheim und Reisekrankheitenexperte vom Veterinärlabor Laboklin, Bad Kissingen, über die neuesten Erkenntnisse.

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Therapiemöglichkeiten der kaninen Herzwurmerkrankung

Die Liste praxisrelevanter, durch Vektoren übertragener Infektionskrankheiten in Deutschland wächst stetig. An Bedeutung gewinnt dabei auch immer mehr die Herzwurmerkrankung (kardiovaskuläre Dirofilariose) des Hundes. Dabei handelt es sich um eine schwere und potenziell tödliche Erkrankung, die durch Fadenwürmer der Gattung Dirofilaria immitis ausgelöst wird. Die Krankheit kommt zwar hauptsächlich beim Hund vor, Endwirte sind aber auch Katzen und Füchse. Gelegentlich können Herzwürmer auch auf Menschen übertragen werden.

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First report of transmission of canine leishmaniosis through bite wounds from a naturally infected dog in Germany

Abstract

Background: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is an important zoonosis caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum. Transmission of L. infantum to dogs (and humans) is mainly through the bite of infected sandflies, but the parasite can also be transmitted vertically, venereally and through blood transfusions of infected donors. Additionally, the direct dog-to-dog transmission through bites or wounds is suspected.

Results: In December 2015, a female eight-year-old Jack-Russell-Terrier was tested positive for CanL in Germany (ELISA 74,
IFAT 1:4.000). The dog had never been in an endemic area, had never received a blood transfusion and had never been
used for breeding. Another female Jack-Russell-Terrier (born 2009 in Spain) was kept in the same household between 2011 and 2012. That
dog was imported to Germany in 2011 and was tested positive for leishmaniosis in 2012. The Spanish-born dog had
received several bite wounds, i.a. in the neck, during fights with the German-born Terrier.

Conclusion: This may be the first report of transmission of L. infantum through bite wounds from a naturally infected
dog in Germany.

Keywords: Canine leishmaniosis, Dog-to-dog transmission, Bite wounds, Germany

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