First report of natural infection of least weasel (Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1776) with Leishmania major in Tunisia

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 Nov;11(11):1507-9. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0673. Epub 2011 Aug 25.

Abstract

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania major (L. major), is endemic in Tunisia. Several rodents have been identified as reservoir hosts of parasites. This study reports, for the first time, the natural infection with L. major zymodeme MON-25 in a specimen of least weasel: Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1776 (M. nivalis) collected in Sidi Bouzid. This finding justifies further research on larger samples of this animal to verify its role as a potential reservoir host for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Reservoirs / parasitology
  • Electrophoresis
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Euthanasia, Animal
  • Leishmania major / isolation & purification*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / diagnosis*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / transmission
  • Male
  • Mustelidae / parasitology*
  • Tunisia
  • Zoonoses / parasitology