Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania parasites and transmitted through insect bites. The emergence of this pathogen, which is primarily transmitted by infected sandworms, in dogs has sparked much discussion about causes and risks. Although the disease has become more widespread over the past few decades, certain dog breeds appear to be more susceptible, so what is driving these anomalies?
"Transmission modes and host specificity may be important keys to understanding leishmaniasis."
Leishmaniasis was first identified in Europe in 1903, and over time, its spread in different regions gradually attracted the attention of scientists. The first case of leishmaniasis broke out in North America in 2000. Since then, research on the cause and transmission route has become one of the hot topics in academia.
"Certain dog breeds appear to show increased susceptibility, raising concerns about high-risk dogs."
As cases of leishmaniasis increase, symptoms are becoming more diverse, including skin lesions, visceral lymphadenopathy, and loss of appetite. In addition, certain dog breeds, such as the Fox Mastiff and the Neapolitan Mastiff, may be at higher risk due to their immune systems or physiological characteristics.
Studies on certain dog breeds have shown that factors related to physiological structure and immune response may be one of the key factors in causing the disease. Some dog breeds have weaker defenses against pathogens, which significantly increases the risk of infection when faced with sandworm bites.
"The development of vaccines and the search for effective treatments will be the focus of future research."
While there is no perfect treatment, certain medications such as amphetamine B and meclizine have shown some degree of effectiveness in infected dogs. Effective prevention measures include using insect-repellent collars and controlling the dog's outdoor activities during active hours.
As research into leishmaniasis progresses, future studies may focus on exploring pathogen comparisons between dogs and humans, particularly to understand why some dog breeds are more susceptible to infection than others. . This will not only help improve canine health, but also promote research on human health.
With global climate change and changes in the ecological environment, have we foreseen that Leishmaniasis will have a greater impact in the future?