VL USA cont

[Jeffrey Shaw]

Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 22:36:25 -0400 (EDT)
From: ProMED-mail <promed at promed.isid.harvard.edu>
Subject: PRO/AH> Leishmaniasis, dogs - USA (03)

LEISHMANIASIS, DOGS - USA (03)
******************************
A ProMED- mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>

[see also:
Leishmaniasis, dogs - USA: RFI                         20000422235237
Leishmaniasis, dogs - USA (02)                         20000424220647]

[1]
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 14:13:30 +0100
From: Lu Ann <lmckinney at rvc.ac.uk>
Source: Foxhound and Beagling Network, and The Chronicle of the Horse, 21
Apr 2000 [edited]


As a prior Leishmaniac, I also found it strange a phlebotomine-transmitted
disease would be a threat in the North East US. However, it seems from this
report the disease has been diagnosed by the CDC, and that it has a high
incidence in certain kennels, but is limited to Foxhounds.  It would be
nice to hear from either the consulting veterinarian or those who made the
diagnosis at UNC.

This comes through a Foxhound and Beagling network and, although it puts
the outbreak in perspective, does not give some of the details (dates,
times, of deaths, post mortem findings, titre levels, species of
Leishmania, etc.). There are some therapies used in human visceral
Leishmaniasis that might work in dogs. 
	
MFHA CANCELS ALL SPRING FOXHOUND SHOWS

On April 14, the leaders of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) of
America, in conjunction with the Foxhound Club of North America, decided to
cancel all foxhound shows this spring. The reason is concern about canine
leishmaniasis, a protozoan disease infecting at least 3 foxhound packs in
the last 10 years.

Officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta
suggested they impose a moratorium on all foxhound travel until all hounds
can be tested.

For about a year, Millbrook Hunt, New York has been fighting a mysterious
disease veterinarians thought might be a tick-borne disease. But after
Huntsman Betsy Park sent them blood samples, scientists from the CDC and
North Carolina State University (NCSU) determined it was canine
leishmaniasis, which rarely occurs in this country. Since last fall, 20
Millbrook foxhounds have died, and 45 of 90 foxhounds have tested positive.

Also residing at Millbrook are the Basset and Beagle packs of Sandanona
Hare Hounds. But all Bassets and Beagles have tested negative. All
personnel, horses, and house dogs walking out with the hounds have  tested
negative. Wildlife (including mice, squirrels, fox and opossum) surrounding
the kennel were trapped by scientists and tested negative.

Dennis Foster, the MFHA executive director, commended Millbrook's
initiative to investigate the cause and possible treatment of their hounds'
mysterious illness. "I think we have it well in hand. Millbrook has it well
in hand," Foster said during a meeting at the National Beagle Club's Spring
Basset Trials. Millbrook is the only North American pack currently
confirmed to have the disease.

CDC scientists report the vector for leishmaniasis is a sand fly. The
disease occurs in humans and is common in domestic and wild dogs in the
Middle East, Italy and Spain. Some speculate U.S. servicemen may have
brought the disease home in their pets.

Cases have occurred sporadically in the United States for 20 years. In
1989, Metamora Hunt, Michigan, foxhounds began to have cases of the disease
with fatalities. But a sled-dog team kenneled next to the foxhounds tested
negative and never contracted it.

No one knows how Millbrook's foxhounds contracted the disease. The range of
sand flies do not extend as far north as New York. Millbrook staff,
veterinarians and scientists have reviewed the hounds' travel records and
have concluded all the infected hounds have traveled to joint meets. Hounds
that have not traveled have tested negative.

In a statement issued to its masters, the MFHA stated, "Health officials
have recommended hunt clubs not travel or interact with hounds outside
their individual kennels until more reliable information is available as to
transmission, prevalence and incubation period. Therefore the MFHA/FCNA
have canceled all hound shows this year.

"Dog-to-human infection risk is minimal, if possible at all," the statement
continues. "Humans can be treated and completely cured. At this time there
is no known cure for this disease in canines, and it is normally fatal. The
canine symptoms include wasting, lack of endurance, bleeding, seizures,
photophobia, hair loss, skin lesions, renal failure and swollen limbs and
joints." The MFHA recommends all hunts use 1 of the 2 reliable blood tests
to test all their hounds.

"Because of this potentially serious situation, it is important you test
all hounds in your kennels," adds the MFHA statement. "Any untested hound
will be prohibited from participating in any future MFHA/FCNA -sanctioned
foxhound show, puppy shows with other than their own hounds, or performance
trials.

"Until further notice no member hunt will be allowed to draft hounds to
another hunt, send hounds to be bred at other kennels, or use artificial
insemination outside their own kennel. It is imperative there be no joint
meets with hounds in attendance from more than one pack. This moratorium
will continue until we determine the extent of the problem and receive
medical advice from the experts."

- --
LuAnn McKinney, DVM, DACVP
Deputy Directory, 
The European Centre for Toxicologic Pathology
The Royal Veterinary College, 
Hatfield, Herts   AL9 7TA
e-mail: lmckinney at rvc.ac.uk

*****
[2]
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 10:14:54 -0600
From: Todd E. Cornish <TCornish at uwyo.edu>


Just a brief correction - there are sand flies in the United States and
some of them are capable of transmitting _Leishmania_ species (and other
diseases including vesicular stomatitis).  See references below:

1. Lawyer PG and DG Young (1987).  Experimental transmission of _Leishmania
mexicana_ to hamsters by bites of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera:
Psychodidae) from the United States.  J. Med. Entomol., 24:458-462.

2. McHugh CP, Grogl M, and RD Kreutzer (1993).  Isolation of _Leishmania
mexicana_ (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) from _Lutzomyia anthophora_
(Diptera: Psychodidae) collected in Texas.  J. Med. Entomol., 30:631-633.

3. Mead DG and EW Cupp (1995).  Occurrence of _Lutzomyia anthophora_
(Diptera: Psychodidae) in Arizona.  J. Med. Entomol., 32:747-748.4. Comer
JM, Kavanaugh DM, Stallknecht DE, and J Corn (1994).  Population dynamics
of _Lutzomyia shannoni_ (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to the
epizootiology of vesicular stomatitis on Ossabaw Island, Georgia.  J. Med.
Entomol., 31:850-854.

- --
Todd Cornish DVM, Ph.D., Dip. ACVP
Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82070
e-mail: TCornish at uwyo.edu                 

******
[3]
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 10:31:08 -0500
From: COL Phillip Lawyer <plawyer at mxa.usuhs.mil>


I think I'll stick my neck out on this one. Whereas sand flies are the only
known natural vectors of leishmaniasis, congenital and venereal
transmission have been reported in humans.  In a dog kennel where dogs are
in close contact, it does not seem inconceivable that dog to dog
transmission could occur if an infected dog (perhaps imported from Brazil
or southern Europe; or even southwestern US) were introduced.

Humans infected with visceral leishmaniasis (_Leishmania donovani_ or
_Leishmania infantum_) shed parasites in nasal secretions, urine and other
body fluids.  A dog infected with _Leishmania infantum_ becomes a sack of
parasites and may also shed parasites in body secretions/excretions.  Who
knows what dogs do in kennels?

By the way, there are sand flies in the U.S.; _Lutzomyia shanonni_, a
competent vector, has been reported as far north as New Jersey and Maryland
(Young, D.G. and Perkins, P.V.,1984. Phlebotomine sand flies of North
America.  J. Am. Mosq. Contr. Assoc.  44:263-304) .  However, most vector
species in the U.S. are limited to the southern tier of states.

- --
Phil Lawyer
Dept. Preventive Medicine and Biometrics
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, MD
e-mail: plawyer at usuhs.mil

****
[4]
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 05:39:40 PDT
From: Larry Hribar <gringo1122 at hotmail.com>


Sand flies in the USA: Phlebotomine sand flies do occur in the USA.  A
paper was published in the  Journal of the American Mosquito Control
Association a few years ago (mid  1980s).  See also:

Ayala, S.C. 1973. The Phlebotomine sandfly (sic) - Protozoan parasite
community of central California grasslands. American Midland Naturalist 89:
266-280.

- --
Larry Hribar
Florida Keys Mosquito Control District
Marathon, FL USA
e-mail: gringo1122 at hotmail.com

****
[5]
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 14:59:09 -0500
From: McHugh Chad P Civ IERA/RSRH <Chad.McHugh at brooks.af.mil>


I am disappointed to see the misconception that there are no sand flies
(_Diptera: Psychodidae_) in North America north of Mexico go unchallenged.  

Although they are not as well studied as elsewhere, I can assure you they
are present.  Below is a selective listing of publications which may be of
interest.

References:
Addis, C.J.  1945  Phlebotomus (Dampfomyia) anthophorus, n. sp., and
_Phlebotomus diabolicus_ Hall from Texas (Diptera: Psychodidae).  J.
Parasitol. 31: 119-127.

Addis, C.J.  1945.  Laboratory rearing and life cycle of _Phlebotomus
(Dampfomyia) anthophorus_ Addis (Diptera: Psychodidae). J. Parasitol. 31:
319-322

Alsuhaibani, S.M. 1990. Field and laboratory studies of sand flies in
Larimer County, Colorado. Ph.D. Dissertation, Colo. State Univ., 106 pp +
viii.

Chaniotis, B.N. 1967. The biology of California Phlebotomus (Diptera:
Psychodidae) under laboratory conditions. J. Med. Entomol. 4: 221-233.

Chaniotis, B.N and J.R. Anderson.  1968.  Age structure, population
dynamics and vector potential of Phlebotomus in northern California. Part
II. Field population dynamics and natural flagellate infections in parous
females. J. Med. Ent. 5: 273-292.

Comer, J.A., D.M. Kavanaugh, D.E. Stallknecht, and J.L. Corn.  1994.
Population dynamics of Lutzomyia shannoni (Diptera: Psychodidae) in
relation to the epizootiology of vesicular stomatitis virus on Ossabaw
Island, Georgia. J. Med. Entomol. 31:850-4

Comer, J.A., W.S. Irby, and D.M. Kavanaugh.  1994.  Hosts of _Lutzomyia
shannoni_ (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to vesicular stomatitis virus
on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, U.S.A. Med. Vet. Entomol. 8:325-30.

Eads, R.B., H.A. Trevino and E.G. Campos.  1965.  Additional records of
_Phlebotomus texanus_ (Diptera: Psychodidae). Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 67:
251-252.

Endris, R.B.  1982.  Studies of _Lutzomyia anthophora_ (Addis) (Diptera:
Psychodidae) and other potential vectors of Rio Grande virus.  Ph.D.
Dissertation, Univ. Fl., Gainesville. xiii + 92 pp.

Endris, R.G., R.B. Tesh, and D.G. Young. 1983. Transovarial transmission of
Rio Grande virus (Bunyaviridae: Phlebovirus) by the sand fly _Lutzomyia
anthophora_. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 32: 862-864.

Endris, R.G., D.G. Young, and J.F. Butler. 1984. The laboratory biology  of
the sand fly _Lutzomyia anthophora_ (Diptera: Psychodidae). J. Med.
Entomol. 21: 656-664.

Endris, R.G., D.G. Young and P.V. Perkins. 1987.  Experimental transmission
of _Leishmania mexicana_ by a North American sand fly, _Lutzomyia
anthophora_ (Diptera: Psychodidae). J. Med. Entomol. 24: 243-247.

Lawyer, P.G. 1984.  Biology and colonization of the sand fly _Lutzomyia
diabolica_ (Hall) (Diptera: Psychodidae) with notes on its potential
relationship to human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Texas, U.S.A. Ph.D.
Dissertation, Univ. Fl. 244 pp.

Lawyer, P.G. and D.G. Young. 1987.  Experimental transmission of
_Leishmania mexicana_ to hamsters by bites of  phlebotomine sand flies
(Diptera: Psychodidae) from the United States. J. Med. Entomol. 24: 458-462.

Lindquist, A.W.  1936.  Notes on the habits and biology of a sand fly,
_Phlebotomus diabolicus_ Hall, in southwestern Texas (Diptera:
Psychodidae). Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 38: 29-32.

McHugh, C.P. 1991. Distributional records for some North American
sandflies, _Lutzomyia_ (Diptera: Psychodidae). Entomol. News 102: 192-194.

McHugh, C.P. 1999.  Notes on the sand fllies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of
southern Arizona.  Entomol. News 110: 297-301.

McHugh, C.P., M. Grogl and R.D. Kreutzer. 1993. Isolation of _Leishmania
mexicana_ (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) from _Lutzomyia anthophora_
(Diptera: Psychodidae) collected in Texas. J. Med. Entomol. 30: 631-633.

Parman, D.C.  1919.  Notes on Phlebotomus species attacking man. J. Econ.
Entomol. 12: 211-213.

Young, D.G. and M.A. Duncan. 1994. Guide to the identification and
geographic distribution of Lutzomyia sand flies in Mexico, the West Indies,
Central and South America (Diptera: Psychodidae). Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst.
No. 54. Assoc. Publ., Gainesville, FL. 881 pp.

Young, D.G. and P.V. Perkins. 1984. Phlebotomine sand flies of North
America (Diptera Psychodidae). Mosq. News 44: 263-304. 

There is also a growing body of literature on leishmaniasis in the US which
is best sampled by going to the link below and searching on the following
terms:

leish* AND (texas OR arizona)
leish* AND dog AND (ohio OR oklahoma)

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/>
Some additional outbreaks in kennels have gone unpublished.

- --
Chad P. McHugh, MPH, PhD
Entomologist
AFIERA/RSRH (Attn: CP McHugh)
Brooks AFB TX 78235-5123
e-mail: chad.mchugh at brooks.af.mil