Find out what leishmaniasis is and how it is transmitted to dogs, cats and even humans!
Summary
Leishmaniasis is an insect-borne disease that can affect both humans and animals. Prevention involves the use of repellents, the application of mosquito nets and screens and the pruning of trees to avoid shady environments.
THE leishmaniasis it is a little-known disease, but it affects at least 300,000 people in Brazil every year, according to data from the Epidemiological panel of the Ministry of Health.
Understand what the disease is, how it is contracted, whether it is contagious, the symptoms, what precautions are necessary to prevent contagion and all the other details in the article below.
What is leishmaniasis?
Leishmaniasis is a set of infectious diseases caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus.
They can be divided into three groups: Cutaneous, Integumentary and Visceral, each with different consequences, but transmitted in a similar way by the same agent.
Symptoms of leishmaniasis
The symptoms of this disease depend on the type. The most common variant is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes lesions on the skin and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
In this case the symptoms are:
- Clogging
- Bleeding
- Rhinorrhea
- Wounds
- Crusting appearance
In the throat:
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Pain when swallowing
On the Skin:
- Ulcers
In the case of visceral leishmaniasis, the symptoms are:
- Long-lasting fever
- Enlargement of the liver and spleen
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Reduced muscle strength
- Anemia
How is leishmaniasis diagnosed?
Integumentary leishmaniasis is diagnosed using parasitological methods, also known as fecal tests. This type of test is necessary because syphilis, leprosy, and tuberculosis can have similar symptoms to cutaneous leishmaniasis, so an accurate diagnosis requires additional testing.
These tests also aid epidemiological identification and inform which protozoan species was responsible for the infection. This type of data can help relevant bodies devise control strategies.
Visceral leishmaniasis can be detected parasitologically, but also with antigen tests, for example. There is the indirect immunofluorescence reaction test (RIFI) and the rapid immunochromatographic test, both available in the Unified Health System (SUS).
How is leishmaniasis treated?
In both variants of the disease, the ideal is to always start treatment as soon as possible. For cutaneous leishmaniasis, treatment includes specific medications, rest and good nutrition.
In case of skin changes, cryotherapy, i.e. the application of low temperatures at the site of the lesions, is recommended in cases where the patient has fewer than five skin lesions. Drugs such as meglumine antimoniate or paromomycin are used to treat leishmaniasis wounds on the skin.
Injections of pentamidine or methylglucamine antimoniate into the muscle, or intravenously, are used to treat cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, the latter can also be treated with antibiotics also applied through the vein.
Is Leishmaniasis curable?
Yes, it is possible to cure leishmaniasis, but it is advisable to start treatment immediately after diagnosis, especially in cases of visceral leishmaniasis, where according to the Ministry of Health it can lead to death in up to 90% of cases in which it is not treated.
How is leishmaniasis transmitted?
Regardless of the type, leishmaniasis is transmitted by insects characterized by a yellowish color. Called the straw mosquito, tatuquira or birigui, depending on the region, the bite of an infected female mosquito transmits the protozoan to humans. The incubation period of the disease can vary from 2 months to 2 years, but generally lasts 2 to 3 months.
In the case of visceral leishmaniasis, the disease can also be transmitted when infected females bite infected dogs, cats or other animals and then bite humans. Dogs are considered the main hosts of visceral leishmaniasis in urban environments, but more on this later.
How to prevent leishmaniasis?
Prevention of leishmaniasis basically consists of:
- Use insect repellent
- Application of mosquito nets or screens on beds, windows and doors
- Prune trees to avoid shady environments
- Avoid exposure at night, when the carrier can be found
- Clean construction sites to avoid decomposition of organic matter
- Correct disposal of organic waste
- Cleaning of pet shelters
- I use insecticide
Leishmaniasis in animals, how to detect and treat it
In addition to mosquitoes and humans, leishmaniasis can also affect animals, especially dogs and cats. The method of transmission of the protozoan is the same as that which infects humans.
Wild animals such as horses, anteaters, sloths and foxes, for example, can serve as hosts for leishmaniasis.
In the case of canine leishmaniasis, the main symptoms are:
- Weight loss
- Skin lesions (face and ears)
- Excessive nail growth
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
As the disease progresses in the animal, its immunity is compromised, so it becomes susceptible to other diseases.
Is there a cure for canine leishmaniasis?
Yes, it exists. Until recently, access to treatments was denied because it was believed that they would have the opposite effect and make the protozoan even stronger. As a result, it was almost a law that an animal with a diagnosed condition would be euthanized.
Pets can currently be treated with miltefosine, but the treatment does not eliminate the disease and only means that the dog no longer transmits it.
Canine vaccination is a great ally in preserving the life of animals, as it prevents the development of the disease and the manifestation of symptoms, but does not prevent the contagion of the protozoan.
Feline leishmaniasis
Just like dogs, cats can become infected and contract this disease. In most cases, these animals are asymptomatic and tend to show symptoms only if they have a compromised immune system (FIV/FeLV, generally) or if they suffer from chronic or degenerative diseases.
As in dogs and humans, the symptoms are ulcers, nodules, skin lesions and anemia. In the case of felines there is still no vaccination, but to heal cats we resort to the use of drugs such as allopurinol and antimony.
How to avoid leishmaniasis in dogs and cats?
- Use insect repellent
- Vaccination (in the case of dogs)
- Check animals with suspected disease
- Keep the animal’s living environment clean
- Eradicate vegetation around houses
Is leishmaniasis transmitted directly from pets to humans?
Despite being hosts, the transmission of leishmaniasis from an animal to humans does not occur directly. It is necessary for a mosquito to contract the protozoan to then transmit it to humans.
Now that you are informed about leishmaniasis, continue to follow more informative materials on health, fashion, beauty and other topics in the Terra Você editor!
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
