How can you protect yourself from leishmaniasis?

Canine Leishmaniasis, also known as Canine Leishmania, is a veterinary and human disease caused by Leishmania protozoa, which mainly infects dogs, but through the transmission of vector insects, humans are also at risk of infection. In this paper, the clinical symptoms, infectiousness, diagnostic methods, prevention and treatment of canine leishmaniasis will be introduced in detail, aiming to enhance public awareness of the disease and strengthen preventive and control measures.

Clinical symptoms of canine leishmaniasis

The clinical symptoms of canine leishmaniasis vary according to individual differences and the degree of infection. Generally speaking, sick dogs will have prolonged irregular fever with large fluctuations in body temperature for a long period of time. In addition, splenomegaly, anaemia and lethargy are common clinical manifestations. Sick dogs tend to have loss of appetite, depression, and significant weight loss. During disease progression, white blood cell counts may decrease and serum globulin levels increase.

Depending on the pathogen and the site of infection, canine leishmaniasis can also be classified into various types such as visceral, cutaneous and mucosal. Visceral leishmaniasis mainly manifests as enlargement and abnormal function of internal organs such as liver, spleen and lymph nodes; cutaneous leishmaniasis will form ulcers, nodules and other lesions on the skin; and mucosal leishmaniasis may affect the mucosal tissues in the oral cavity, nasal cavity and other parts.

Second, the infectiousness of canine leishmaniasis

Canine leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by vector insects, and the main vector is the lacewing. When a lacewing bites a dog or human infected with Leishmania protozoa, it sucks up blood containing the pathogen and transmits the pathogen to new hosts when it subsequently bites other hosts. Disease transmission is therefore closely related to the activity cycle and distribution range of leishmania, as well as the density of hosts.

It is worth noting that although humans are not the primary hosts of canine leishmaniasis, they can be infected with the disease through contact with infected dogs or by lacewing bites. Therefore, people living or working in infected areas need to pay special attention to prevention.

Diagnosis of Canine Leishmaniasis

The diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis mainly relies on clinical symptoms, epidemiological investigations and laboratory tests. Veterinarians will conduct a detailed clinical examination of the sick dog, observe changes in body temperature, body weight and mental status, and collect blood and lymph node samples for laboratory tests,such as Canine Leishmania Antibody Rapid Test(C.LSH Ab)

Laboratory tests include various methods such as haematological tests, serological tests and molecular biological tests. Haematological examination can observe changes in indicators such as white blood cell counts and serum globulin levels; serological testing can determine infection by detecting specific antibodies or antigens; molecular biology testing can directly detect pathogen DNA through PCR and other techniques, which have higher sensitivity and specificity.

In addition, for humans suspected to be infected, corresponding medical examination and diagnosis are also needed to exclude or confirm infection.

Prevention of Canine Leishmaniasis

The key to preventing canine leishmaniasis lies in controlling the number of vector insects and reducing the chances of contact between humans and dogs with lacewings. In infected areas, the environment should be cleaned up regularly to eliminate the breeding places of whitefly, such as waterlogged containers and rubbish piles. Meanwhile, measures such as the use of insecticides or mosquito nets should be used to reduce the chance of lacewing bites.

For dogs, a leishmaniasis vaccine can be administered to increase their resistance. The vaccine, which usually consists of inactivated Leishmania protozoa or its components, can stimulate a specific immune response in dogs, thus preventing the disease from occurring. In addition, regular medical check-ups and deworming of dogs are also important measures to prevent the disease.

Humans should also pay attention to personal hygiene in daily life and avoid direct contact with infected dogs, especially in infected areas or during the peak period of whitefly activity. During outdoor activities, they should try to wear long sleeves and trousers and use protective measures such as mosquito repellent.

Treatment of Canine Leishmaniasis

The treatment of canine leishmaniasis mainly includes two aspects of drug therapy and supportive therapy. Pharmacological treatment is directed at the pathogen, and commonly used drugs include antileishmanials and immunosuppressants. Antileishmanials can kill or inhibit the growth and reproduction of the pathogen, thus reducing the disease; immunosuppressants can regulate the immune response of the dog and reduce the immune damage.

Supportive treatment is directed at the clinical symptoms of sick dogs, including replenishing body fluids, correcting electrolyte disorders, and providing nutritional support. For sick dogs with severe anaemia or splenomegaly, blood transfusion or surgery may be required.

It should be noted that the treatment of canine leishmaniasis needs to last for a long period of time and the efficacy may vary depending on individual differences and the degree of infection. Therefore, it is necessary to closely observe the changes in the condition of the sick dog during the course of treatment and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner.

In conclusion, canine leishmaniasis is a serious zoonosis that poses a threat to both canine and human health. The incidence of the disease can be effectively reduced by strengthening preventive and control measures and reducing the number of vector insects and the chance of contact between humans and dogs. At the same time, timely diagnosis and treatment is also key for sick dogs and humans who have been infected. It is hoped that the introduction of this article will enhance public awareness of canine leishmaniasis and strengthen prevention and control efforts.

As a pioneer in the field of pet health and disease diagnostics, Antigenne has successfully launched a new brand, Itgen, which is dedicated to providing pet owners with accurate and efficient ELISA testing services and allergen test cards for the health and well-being of pets.

Since its inception, Antigenne has specialised in the development and manufacture of high quality pet health diagnostic products. As an industry leader, the company understands the importance of pets to every family, and therefore always puts the health and safety of pets first. Through continuous technological innovation and product development, Antigenne has successfully launched the Itgen brand, injecting new vigour into the pet health diagnostic field.

With ELISA technology as the core, Itgen provides accurate disease diagnosis services for pet owners. ELISA technology is a commonly used biochemical analysis method that can effectively determine the health status of pets by detecting the presence and concentration of antibodies or antigens, and the ELISA kits of the Itgen brand are highly sensitive and specific, capable of accurately identifying a variety of pathogens and disease markers, and can be used for the detection of a variety of diseases. pathogens and disease markers, providing strong support for early detection and treatment of pet diseases.

In addition to ELISA testing service, Itgen brand also launched allergen testing cards. As people’s living standards improve, the problem of pet allergies is becoming more and more prominent. Allergen test cards can help pet owners quickly and accurately identify allergens in their pets, so as to take targeted preventive measures and reduce the risk of pet allergies. the Itgen brand’s pet disease test strips are easy to operate and have accurate results, which are well received by pet owners.

About Antigenne

Antigenne also excels in marketing. Focusing on brand building, the company has successfully raised the awareness and influence of the Itgen brand through online and offline multi-channel promotion. At the same time, the company also cooperates with a number of pet hospitals, clinics, etc., to promote Itgen products to a wider user group, so that more pet owners can enjoy high-quality pet health diagnostic services.

Looking ahead, Antigenne will continue to uphold the concept of “guarding the health of pets with science and technology”, increase investment in research and development, and continue to innovate products and technologies. The company plans to further expand the scope of application of ELISA technology and develop more diagnostic kits for pet diseases, so as to contribute to the development of the pet health diagnostic field. At the same time, the company will also strengthen the cooperation and exchange with international counterparts, introduce advanced technologies and concepts, and enhance the international competitiveness of the Itgen brand.

SaberVet Antigenne, holding the banner of enjoying living together with animals and protecting the health both of animals and humans, is dedicated to building a harmonious society for humans and animals. Insisting on the values of innovation, honesty and integrity, sticking to the principle of “quality is the cornerstone of future existence.” through innovative products and dimensional services, Antigenne is looking forward to cooperating with you and expecting to create a bright future with a win-win result.  Together, we can make a difference. Contact Antigenne now and let’s unlock the future of animal health.