Leishmania tarentolae and Leishmania infantum in geckos from Mallorca Island, Spain

Abstract

Leishmania tarentolae and Leishmania infantum are two sympatric parasites of significant ecological and epidemiological interest in the Mediterranean basin. This study investigated the PCR prevalence of L. tarentolae and L. infantum in two gecko species (Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus) present on Mallorca Island, Spain, using duplex quantitative PCR. A total of 59 geckos were sampled across the island, including 53 T. mauritanica and six H. turcicus. Tissue and blood samples were screened by PCR for both parasites. The results revealed the prevalence of Leishmania infection in adult T. mauritanica, with 10/49 (20.41 %) testing PCR positive for L. tarentolae only and with 1/49 (2.04 %) for L. infantum only. Coinfection with both parasites was detected in 3/49 geckos (6.12 %). No positives were identified in H. turcicus, probably due to small sample size. Regarding PCR positivity by tissues, coleomic organs were more likely to be positive for L. tarentolae in adult T. mauritanica than blood, with a slighter PCR positivity in the liver, spleen and lung. This study provides further insight into the interaction between Leishmania and geckos in leishmaniosis-endemic areas such as Mallorca.