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Background. The leishmaniases are a group of parasitic diseases caused by protozoa from genus Leishmania, transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. From the aspect of veterinary medicine the most important is canine leishmaniasis. In 2019, 98 countries and territories have become endemic for leishmaniasis. Serological tests are sensitive and easily demonstrate presence of antibodies in clinical canine leishmaniasis cases. Antigens are mainly obtained from in vitro cultures of parasites. It should be emphasized that there is a risk of infection with Leishmania when manipulating parasite cultures. Also, isolation of parasitic hemoflagelates from samples is sometimes difficult due to contamination of primary cultures with bacteria, fungi and yeasts. In order to simplify the procedure, the research was focused on the possibility of using alternative antigen sources. In diagnostics of leishmaniasis, starting from 1980s to the present, some of flagellates belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae were tested as sources of antigen: Crithidia luciliae, Crithidia fasciculata, Leptomonas seymouri, Phytomonas serpens, Strigomonas culicis and Angomonas deanei. Aim. Leptomonas pyrrhocoris is a monoxenous trypanosomatid which parasitizes in the intestines of common insect from the family Pyrrhocoridae, firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus. Up to now this flagellate was not tested as a source of antigen in routine serology for canine leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to prove its potential use. Material and methods. In vitro cultured promastigotes of L. infantum and L. pyrrhocoris were used as a source of antigen for indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Results. The results of this survey showed high cross-reactivity level between two examined antigens. Conclusion. Obtained results showed high potential in use of apatogenic L. pyrrhocoris promastigotes as alternative source of antigen for large scale serological screening of leishmaniasis in dogs. |
