First report of venereal and vertical transmission of canine leishmaniosis from naturally infected dogs in Germany

The authors report a case of CanL in a female boxer dog from Dusseldorf, Germany, that had never been in an endemic region. A serum sample from the bitch was tested positive for antibodies against Leishmania (IFAT 1:2,000, ELISA 72). The bitch had whelped three litters, and one puppy from the third litter was also found to be seropositive for Leishmania antibodies (IFAT 1:4,000, ELISA 78).Up to now, despite intensive searching, the occurrence of sandflies could not be proved in the bitch's region of origin. Thus, vertical and horizontal transmission are to be discussed as possible ways of infection. This may be the first report of venereal and vertical transmission of L. infantum in naturally infected dogs in Germany.Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (or its New World synonym Leishmania (L.) chagasi) is a zoonotic disease of major public health and veterinary importance with a wide geographical distribution. It is endemic in Mediterranean countries and in regions of Africa, Asia, South and Central America [1]. But CanL is also an important concern in non-endemic regions. In Germany, increasing numbers of dogs are becoming infected by L. infantum as a result of travelling to Mediterranean countries, or being imported from these regions. It is estimated that there are 20,000 infected dogs in Germany [2]. Canine infection is associated with variable clinical manifestations, ranging from unapparent subclinical infections to fatal visceralizing disease. Clinical signs include generalized lymphadenomegaly, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, fever, diarrhea, lethargy, and progressive weight loss [3,4]. Furthermore the majority of dogs show skin lesions. It is primarily a dry, exfoliative dermatitis. Further common prevalent symptoms are ulcerating skin lesions, as, for example, at the outer edge of the ear or the nose [4]. Common clinical chemistry abnormalities include hyperproteinemia observed with hypergammaglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia