{"title":"The changing reservoir of the zoonotic Hepatitis E virus in Türkiye: A novel potential threat to public health?","authors":"Hakan Aydin , Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan , Osman Aktas","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pigs are considered the main reservoir of the zoonotic Hepatitis E virus (HEV) world-wide. However, in countries where there is no pork industry or pork consumption, the adaptation of zoonotic HEV (genotype 3) to different species has remained a controversial issue. The objective of our study was to investigate wild rodents as a potential new reservoir or host animal for the transmission of HEV to humans. In this study, HEV RNA was investigated in liver, lung, and spleen samples from 391 rodents of the genus <em>Microtus</em> collected from areas close to rural settlements and in blood samples taken from 50 anti-HEV IgG/IgM-positive individuals living in these regions. Sequence analyses and molecular characterizations of the HEV strains identified in both species were performed and phylogenetic trees were constructed. HEV RNA was detected in 8 of 50 human blood samples (16 %) and 6 of 391 rodents (1.5 %). When compared with the reference sequences obtained from NCBI, our rodent and human HEV strains were found to be genotype 3. It was determined that the rodent and human HEV sequences obtained from our study were 97.6–98.6 % identical. Reference rodent HEV strains formed a separate phylogenetic branch from the study strains and clustered within the Rocahepevirus group. Our study has shown that wild small mammals may play a role in the epidemiology of zoonotic HEV infection and therefore should be considered as potential reservoirs of the disease. Multidisciplinary collaboration (“One Health” approach) is required for the surveillance and control of HEV infection which threatens the public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia abortus infection in small ruminants from North-Central Algeria","authors":"Nabila Boukhalfa , Mohamed Douifi","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Chlamydia abortus</em> is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for enzootic abortion in sheep and goats, posing a significant threat to both livestock productivity and public health. In order to assess the prevalence of <em>Chlamydia abortus</em> and associated risk factors in the small ruminant population, a cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2023 and December 2024 across four provinces in north-central Algeria (Medea, Blida, Aïn Defla, and Djelfa). A total of 896 sheep and goats from 96 herds were tested using an indirect ELISA targeting anti-<em>C. abortus</em> IgG antibodies. The prevalence at the herd level and the individual level was 84.4 % and 30.4 %, respectively. Mixed-species herds showed the highest herd-level prevalence (87.8 %), followed by sheep (82.8 %) and goat herds (77.8 %). Transhumant herds (91.4 %) and those with reproductive losses (90.5 %) exhibited elevated prevalence rates, although the differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, large herds (>100 head) had significantly higher infection rates (95.2 %). At the individual level, females had a higher, though non-significant, prevalence than males (31.8 % vs. 25.3 %). Animals older than four years and females with reproductive disorders exhibited the highest seroprevalence rates (38.2 % and 60.0 %, respectively), both associations being statistically significant. The province of Djelfa emerged as the most affected province, with the highest herd-level (91.4 %) and individual-level (36.5 %) prevalence. These findings confirm the endemicity of <em>Chlamydia abortus</em> in north-central Algeria and call for improved surveillance and prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102408"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sherin R. Rouby , Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel-Rahim , Amira M. Mazeed , Mohamed A. Bakry , Shawky M. Aboelhadid
{"title":"A common source outbreak of Brucella melitensis infection in male dogs: Serological and molecular investigation","authors":"Sherin R. Rouby , Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel-Rahim , Amira M. Mazeed , Mohamed A. Bakry , Shawky M. Aboelhadid","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study aims to describe an outbreak of canine brucellosis in a dog shelter on serological and molecular bases<em>.</em> The infected dogs exhibited testicular enlargement, epididymitis, prostatitis, and orchitis. All dogs were serotested for brucellosis using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and buffered acidified antigen plate test (BAAPT). Serum samples and whole blood of serologically positive dogs were subjected to conventional, species-specific real-time, and multiplex PCRs to identify the circulating <em>Brucellae</em> on genus, species, and biovar levels, respectively. Positive results from serological tests confirm the presence of smooth <em>brucellae</em>. The overall seroprevalence of <em>Brucella</em> antibodies was 56.7 % as detected by RBPT and BAAPT. Molecular identification using primer sequences targeting the Immunodominant antigen, gene bp26 confirmed <em>Brucella</em> on the genus level. Results of species-specific real-time PCRs confirm the presence of <em>B. melitensis</em> DNA in blood sera of dogs. Multiplex PCR has amplified three fragments of 587 bp, 1071 bp, and 1682 bp characteristic for <em>B. melitensis</em> biovar 3. Trace investigation revealed that the dog's raw meat diet was the most likely source of infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102406"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Morea , Paolo Trerotoli , Angela Stufano , Valentina Schino , Giorgio Di Leone , Isabella Intino , Francesca Indraccolo , Mariaelisa Carbonara , Giacomo Guido , Francesco Di Gennaro , Annalisa Saracino , Domenico Otranto , Filipe Dantas-Torres , Piero Lovreglio , Roberta Iatta
{"title":"Toward assessing serodiagnosis of Q fever in high occupational-risk workers","authors":"Anna Morea , Paolo Trerotoli , Angela Stufano , Valentina Schino , Giorgio Di Leone , Isabella Intino , Francesca Indraccolo , Mariaelisa Carbonara , Giacomo Guido , Francesco Di Gennaro , Annalisa Saracino , Domenico Otranto , Filipe Dantas-Torres , Piero Lovreglio , Roberta Iatta","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Q fever, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>, occurs in acute or chronic forms in humans. Diagnosing acute and chronic Q fever relies mainly on detecting antibody titers against phase II and I antigens by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), the reference standard test. This study assessed the seroprevalence of anti-<em>Coxiella burnetii</em> antibodies by IFAT in 269 high occupational-risk workers along with the accuracy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), routinely used in diagnostic laboratories, compared to IFAT, in detecting both IgM and IgG against phase II and I antigens. The overall seroprevalence in the screened population detected by IFAT was 55 %, including one case with phase I IgG titer > 1:1024 (possible chronic form) and three cases with phase II IgG titers <u>></u> 1:128 (possible acute form). The seroprevalence recorded by the three tests varied from 36.8 % (IFAT) to 57.2 % (CLIA), up to 78.1 % (ELISA) for phase II IgG. Similarly, phase II IgM and phase I IgG were detected in 3 % and 22.7 % by IFAT and 27.9 % and 39 % by ELISA. ELISA presented high sensitivity (100 % and 96 %) and negative predictive value (100 % and 93.2 %) in detecting phase II IgM and IgG, respectively. Conversely, ELISA and CLIA presented the lowest specificity (i.e., 32.4 % and 55.3 %, respectively) in detecting phase II IgG. These findings suggest that the results of ELISA and CLIA should be confirmed by IFAT, being useful in discriminating between acute, chronic, and past disease, when risk factors (e.g., employment in high-risk occupations) and/or clinical signs for Q fever are suspected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Javier Millán , Paula Santibáñez , Luis Vicente Monteagudo , Sofia M. Soares , Alberto Israel , Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor
{"title":"Molecular screening for blood pathogens in synanthropic Pipistrellus bats in Spain reveals novel and human-related hemoplasmas","authors":"Javier Millán , Paula Santibáñez , Luis Vicente Monteagudo , Sofia M. Soares , Alberto Israel , Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urbanization profoundly alters natural habitats, creating environments where adaptable species such as bats thrive. In developed countries, cities may act as hotspots for pathogen transmission from bats to humans, yet urban bat pathogens remain understudied in Europe. This study examined vector-borne and zoonotic bacteria and protozoa in soprano (<em>Pipistrellus pygmaeus</em>, PPY) and Kuhl’s pipistrelles (<em>Pipistrellus kuhlii</em>, PKU) inhabiting Zaragoza, Spain. A total of 213 bats (143 urban, 70 rural; including 7 recaptures) were live-trapped between 2022 and 2024, and blood samples were collected. Initial screening of 77 individuals for Anaplasmataceae, <em>Bartonella</em>, <em>Borrelia</em>, hemotropic <em>Mycoplasma</em> (hemoplasmas), and <em>Leishmania</em> revealed hemoplasmas as the only haemopathogens present. Sequencing of a 330-bp 16S rRNA fragment confirmed infection, which was subsequently assessed in the full sample. Overall, ten bats (4.69 %) tested positive: eight PPY (two rural, six urban) and two PKU (one rural, one urban). Two hemoplasma genotypes were identified. The first, detected in both species across habitats, showed similarity to sequences from bats in Germany and Chile. The second, found in PPY from both environments, clustered closely with the human hemolytic pathogen <em>Candidatus</em> Mycoplasma haematohominis. Extended 16S rRNA (∼ 1400 bp) and 23S rRNA (∼ 1100 bp) sequences were obtained only for the first genotype, which phylogenetic analyses indicated represents a novel species. Since both samples had 99.8–100 % sequence identity across markers, we propose naming it <em>Candidatus</em> Mycoplasma haematopipistrellus sp. nov. Despite the low pathogen diversity observed, results highlight bats as potential ecological bridges for hemoplasma transmission between rural and urban environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102404"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed M. Soliman , Hassan Y.A.H. Mahmoud , Moaz M. Amer , Samah Mohamed , Tatsuro Hifumi , Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara , Tetsuya Tanaka
{"title":"Molecular detection and phylogenetic characterization of Borrelia theileri and a putative novel Borrelia genotype in Hyalomma dromedarii ticks infesting camels in southern Egypt","authors":"Ahmed M. Soliman , Hassan Y.A.H. Mahmoud , Moaz M. Amer , Samah Mohamed , Tatsuro Hifumi , Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara , Tetsuya Tanaka","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are important vectors of various pathogens affecting human and animal health globally. In Egypt, camels are frequently infested with <em>Hyalomma dromedarii</em>, yet their role in harboring and transmitting tick-borne pathogens remains poorly understood. This study aimed to molecularly detect and characterize <em>Borrelia</em> species in <em>H. dromedarii</em> ticks collected from camels in three cities in southern Egypt: Esna, Draw, and Edfu. Of 300 ticks analyzed using PCR targeting the 16S rRNA and <em>flaB</em> genes, 21.3 % (64/300) tested positive for <em>Borrelia</em> species. The highest prevalence was recorded in Edfu (37 %), followed by Draw (19 %) and Esna (13.3 %). Sequencing of the <em>flaB</em> gene revealed two distinct genetic groups. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that one group clustered closely with <em>Borrelia theileri</em>, while the second formed a distinct clade within the relapsing fever group of <em>Borrelia</em> species, showing sufficient genetic divergence to suggest a putative novel genotype or locally adapted strain. This clade was supported by high bootstrap values (99 %) and showed no close relation to previously described species. To our knowledge, this study represents the first detection of <em>B. theileri</em> in camel-associated ticks in Egypt. These findings expand the known genetic diversity of <em>Borrelia</em> species in North Africa and highlight the need for further studies to assess the pathogenic potential and epidemiological significance of these strains in animal and human populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"FPV induces apoptosis in PBMCs through intrinsic pathways both in vivo and in vitro","authors":"Haibing Dong , Jiahui Li , Xinyue Zhang , Yongle Yu, Haiyan Yang, Chuanmei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feline parvovirus (FPV) is a typical carnivore parvovirus that infects felines as well as foxes, raccoons, and other animals in their natural habitats. Cats infected with FPV exhibit symptoms of leukopenia. However, there are limited literature reports on the cause. We hypothesized that leukopenia might be related to the induction of PBMCs apoptosis by FPV. In this study, we explored the effect of FPV on PBMCs by IFA, CCK-8, and qPCR. The results showed that FPV could decrease cell viability and accelerate cell apoptosis. The expression levels of Intrinsic and extrinsic cytokines were significantly increased in cultured cells, and the expression levels of Intrinsic apoptosis-related cytokines were increased in vivo PBMCs. These results indicate that FPV can induce apoptosis through both Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in vitro, but only through Intrinsic pathways in vivo.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145026707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Global epidemiology and molecular typing of Coxiella burnetii: A systematic review of Q fever in humans and animals","authors":"Mohamed Rahal , Omar Salhi , Imane Ouchetati , Nadjet Amina Khelifi Touhami , Nassim Ouchene","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, provides a comprehensive synthesis of epidemiological data on Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, in humans and animals worldwide. A total of 1321 publications were identified, of which 166 met the inclusion criteria. Q fever, first described in 1937 in Australian abattoir workers, remains a globally distributed zoonosis, with domestic ruminants (sheep, goats, cattle) serving as the primary reservoirs and sources of human infection. Transmission occurs mainly via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, particularly during parturition or abortion events. The pathogen is a strict intracellular bacterium with a small genome (∼2 Mb) and plasmid diversity that contributes to strain variation. Laboratory diagnosis relies primarily on serology (IFA as gold standard) and PCR for early detection, while cultivation is restricted to BSL-3 facilities due to biosafety concerns. Molecular epidemiology has progressed with typing methods such as Multispacer Sequence Typing (MST), Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA), and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). MST is widely used due to its reproducibility and application to clinical and environmental samples, though MLVA and WGS provide higher discriminatory power. Genotyping has revealed significant host- and region-specific diversity, with some lineages, such as MST17 in French Guiana, associated with severe disease. Geographically, Q fever shows marked heterogeneity. In Europe, sporadic cases coexist with large outbreaks, exemplified by the Netherlands epidemic (2007–2010) with > 4000 confirmed human cases linked to goat farms. France, Germany, Spain, and Italy also report endemicity, often with regionally distinct genotypes. In Africa, prevalence varies widely, reaching up to 32 % in Egypt and > 70 % in camels in Algeria, though surveillance is limited. North America, Latin America, Asia, and Australia also document circulation, with underdiagnosis common outside Europe. Overall, the study highlights Q fever as a persistent global zoonosis with underestimated burden, requiring strengthened surveillance, molecular epidemiology, and One Health approaches to mitigate human and animal health impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular prevalence of zoonotic nematode parasite Calodium hepaticum in household rat population in Chennai city, India","authors":"Azhahianambi Palavesam , Gokula Kannan Ragavan , Jalantha Periasamy , Purushothaman Selvaraj , Dharman Murugesan , Tirumurugaan Krishnaswamy Gopalan , Aravindh Babu Ramasamy Parthiban , Soundararajan Chinnaiyan , Srinivasan Morkonda Rajaram , Sridhar Ramaswamy , Nagendra R. Hegde , G. Taru Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102400","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102400","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Calodium hepaticum</em> (syn. <em>Capillaria hepatica</em>) is a zoonotic nematode parasite occurring commonly in the liver of rats, which act as primary reservoir hosts. In the present study, 55 household rats in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, were trapped and screened for <em>C. hepaticum</em> infection in the liver. All the collected rat liver samples were subjected to macroscopic examination. Rat liver samples with yellowish-white patch lesions were confirmed for the presence of bi-operculate and ellipsoidal shape eggs by parasitological and histopathological examination. A parasite-specific semi-nested PCR was developed to amplify the partial <em>18S rRNA</em> gene of <em>C. hepaticum</em>. The limit of detection of the semi-nested PCR was 15 aM. All the liver samples were screened by the semi-nested PCR<em>.</em> Of the 55 rat liver samples screened by semi-nested PCR, 21 were positive for <em>C. hepaticum</em>, indicating a prevalence of 38.18 %. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the <em>18S rRNA</em> gene sequence belonged to <em>C. hepaticum.</em> This report is the first molecular confirmation of <em>C. hepaticum</em> in rats in India. This study highlights the high level of prevalence of <em>C. hepaticum</em> in the household rat population and the risk of zoonotic transmission of hepatic calodiosis to human beings living in close proximity to infected rats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102400"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alejandra Núñez , Maria Sabrina de Freitas , Maria Natália de Freitas , Thaiza Fernanda da Silva , Raul Dias Bispo e Silva , Arlyson Sousa Ferreira , Maria do Carmo Aragão , Saulo Pereira Cardoso , José Nilton da Cruz , Luciano Nakazato , Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida , Danny Laura Gomes Fagundes Triches , Valéria Régia Franco Sousa
{"title":"Hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to canine visceral leishmaniasis: Relationship with clinical score, parasite load and serum cytokines","authors":"Alejandra Núñez , Maria Sabrina de Freitas , Maria Natália de Freitas , Thaiza Fernanda da Silva , Raul Dias Bispo e Silva , Arlyson Sousa Ferreira , Maria do Carmo Aragão , Saulo Pereira Cardoso , José Nilton da Cruz , Luciano Nakazato , Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida , Danny Laura Gomes Fagundes Triches , Valéria Régia Franco Sousa","doi":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cimid.2025.102397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease which is among the six most important endemic diseases in the world. In Brazil, one of the countries with the highest number of cases, it is caused by the protozoan <em>Leishmania infantum</em>. In humans, VL may be associated with a rare and high-mortality syndrome known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Syndrome (HLH). This syndrome, not yet described in dogs, is characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory reaction, uncontrolled and dysfunctional activation of T lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics related to the occurrence of HLH and correlate them with the clinical score, parasite load and serum cytokines in dogs with VL. Of the 55 dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), eight dogs (14.55 %) presented five criteria of the HLH. The clinical score demonstrated a weak indirect association with hemoglobin, the parasite load had a weak indirect relationship with ferritin, and a weak direct relationship with triglycerides. The cytokines IL-6 and IL-2 had an indirect relationship with bleeding time and neutrophils, respectively. These results demonstrated the occurrence of five clinical characteristics of HLH, indicating that this rare and highly fatal syndrome occurs in CVL and is correlated with a worse clinical score.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50999,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144885971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}