New Means of Canine Leishmaniasis Transmission in North America: The Possibility of Transmission to Humans Still Unknown

Abstract

At present it is not possible to determine in advance the outcome ofLeishmania infantuminfection. Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), caused byLe. infantum, is a natural disease process which offers a insight into the interaction of the host and resultant disease outcome. Canine VL results in the same altered pathophysiology and immunodysregulation seen in humans. VL in US dogs is likely to be transmitted primarily via nontraditional, nonvector means. VL mediated byLe. infantumis endemic in U.S. Foxhound dogs, with vertical transmission likely to be the novel primary means of transmission. This population of dogs offers an opportunity to identify host factors of natural disease. Prevention of human clinical visceral leishmaniasis can occur only by better understanding the disease ecology of the primary reservoir host: the dog.