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The hyrax ( Procavia capensis ) is reservoir host of Leishmania tropica in northern Israel
Author(s) -
SVOBODOVA M.,
VOTYPKA J.,
KRAVCHENKO V.,
ASHFORD R. W.,
WARBURG A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2005.05202003_5_12.x
Subject(s) - hyrax , biology , captivity , zoology , leishmania tropica , host (biology) , muridae , inoculation , ecology , cutaneous leishmaniasis , veterinary medicine , leishmaniasis , immunology , medicine
In order to identify a reservoir host of Leishmania tropica , we have trapped mammals in a cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in the Galilee region of Northern Israel. During May 2003, racoon traps (in total 275 in 11 nights) and Sherman traps (in total 170 in 8 nights) were put in boulders surrounding four endemic villages. In total, 34 hyraxes ( Procavia capensis ), 32 spiny mice ( Acomys cahirinus ) andone house mouse ( Mus domesticus ) were caught. Biopsies were taken from anaesthesized animals, which were released after recovery. Parasites were isolated from the nose of one hyrax. The strain was typed as L. tropica and was identical with previous isolates from patients and sand flies originating from the focus. Biopsies from other hyraxes and mice (ear biopsy) were culture and PCR negative, while PCR from the infected hyrax was positive. Previously, L. tropica DNA was detected in two hyraxes trapped in the focus but parasites were not isolated. Thus, we have confirmed the potential of hyraxes to serve as reservoir hosts. After inoculation of the hyrax strain into the ear of spiny mice, 2/4 animals were culture‐positive, and 5/5 were PCR positive. Moreover, parasite DNA was detected not only in the inoculation site, but also in the nose and hind foot of one Acomys. L. tropica is thus able to disseminate in its host. Differences in biology between the two most abundant mammals in the focus are probably the reason why the hyrax, and not the spiny mouse, is a suitable reservoir of L. tropica .