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Leishmaniasis in Norway Rats in Sewers, Barcelona, Spain
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|May 21, 2019
Summary
Norway rats in Barcelona carry Leishmania infantum, a parasite of public health concern. This finding highlights urban rodents as a significant reservoir for the disease, necessitating further investigation and control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Urban ecology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Leishmania infantum is a protozoan parasite transmitted by sandflies, causing visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs.
- Urban environments can harbor reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, posing risks to public health.
- Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are highly abundant in urban settings and can act as reservoirs for various pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and prevalence of Leishmania infantum in Norway rats within Barcelona, Spain.
- To assess the public health implications of Leishmania infantum detection in an abundant urban rodent population.
Main Methods:
- Rodent trapping in urban parks and sewer systems of Barcelona.
- Detection and quantification of Leishmania infantum DNA in rat tissues.
- Prevalence and parasite load estimation.
Main Results:
- Leishmania infantum was detected in 98 out of 98 Norway rats examined.
- Rats trapped in sewer systems exhibited a 33.3% prevalence of infection.
- Estimated parasite loads in infected sewer rats reached up to 2,272 parasites.
Conclusions:
- Norway rats in Barcelona are reservoirs for Leishmania infantum.
- The high prevalence and parasite burden in urban rats raise public health concerns.
- Further research and surveillance are warranted to manage this zoonotic risk.
