Leishmania DNA in Ticks and Their Offspring
Author Information
Author(s): Dantas-Torres Filipe, Latrofa Maria Stefania, Otranto Domenico
Primary Institution: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Zootecnia, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, BA, Italy
Hypothesis
Can Leishmania infantum be transmitted from female Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks to their offspring?
Conclusion
The study provides evidence that Leishmania infantum DNA is passed from female ticks to their larvae and eggs.
Supporting Evidence
- L. infantum kDNA was detected in engorged females, their eggs, and originating larvae.
- The parasite load ranged from 1.8 × 10-4 to 10.0 × 100.
- 25.8% of the tested females were positive for L. infantum kDNA.
- 40.2% of the egg pools tested positive for L. infantum kDNA.
- 58.1% of the larval pools tested positive for L. infantum kDNA.
Takeaway
This study shows that ticks can pass a parasite to their babies, which might help spread the disease among dogs.
Methodology
Engorged female ticks were collected, and their DNA was extracted and tested for Leishmania infantum using real-time PCR.
Potential Biases
Potential contamination in egg and larval pools cannot be completely ruled out.
Limitations
The study did not visualize promastigote forms in larvae, which is necessary to definitively confirm transmission.
Participant Demographics
Engorged female ticks collected from a dog shelter in southern Italy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.706
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 17.1%-34.5%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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