<em>Leishmania tarentolae</em> and <em>Leishmania infantum</em> in geckos from MallorcaIsland, Spain

Abstract

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