A fatal case of canine visceral leishmaniasis in French Guiana

Visceral leishmaniasis is a serious parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by sandflies, insect vectors. This form of the disease is the most severe, being fatal without treatment. Although visceral leishmaniasis does not occur naturally in French Guiana, it is common in certain regions of South America, particularly Brazil. Dogs, which are often asymptomatic, play an important role as reservoirs for the parasite, complicating prevention efforts.

In 2023, a team from the TBIP laboratory, in collaboration with the MorphoVet veterinary clinic in Cayenne, diagnosed a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a dog imported from Brazil. The infection, caused by Leishmania infantumThis case highlights the risk of importing this disease to French Guyana, even in the absence of local sandflies capable of transmitting the parasite. This case highlights the risk of this disease being imported into French Guyana, even in the absence of local sandflies capable of transmitting the parasite.

Although sandflies, the classic vectors of the disease, have not been identified in French Guiana, other modes of transmission are being considered. These include venereal transmission, vertical transmission (from mother to foetus) and transplacental transmission. These non-vector modes could allow the parasite to spread to a limited extent, necessitating closer monitoring of animals brought into the country.

The TBIP laboratory is currently carrying out research to assess the presence of Leishmania infantum in dogs, both sick and asymptomatic, in French Guiana. The aim of this work is to gain a better understanding of the risks of the disease becoming established in the region and to develop appropriate prevention strategies.