Eficacia de un nuevo alquilfosfolípido frente a la leishmaniosis canina experimental por Leishmania infantum

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a widely distributed vectorial disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania. Disease outcome depends on the Leishmania species involved and the functionality of the host’s immune response. Visceral leishmaniasis, produced L. donovani and L. infantum, is the most severe condition. Dogs can be infected by a variety of Leishmania species and they are considered the main reservoir for human infections by L.infantum (zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis, ZVL). Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is prevalent and a first order veterinary pathology in endemic areas. No human vaccine is available and the currently marketed veterinary vaccines have limitations, environmental control is unfeasible and efficacy of dog culling has been challenged. Therefore, the control of CanL – and ZVL – relies on the use of repellents and, mainly, the treatment of infected dogs. However, the available therapeutic arsenal includes the same compounds used against human leishmaniasis and all of them have serious drawbacks considering efficacy, toxicity and resistance phenomena...