First report of venereal and vertical transmission of canine leishmaniosis from naturally infected dogs in Germany

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Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (or its New World synonym Leishmania (L.) chagasi) is a zoonotic disease of major public health and veterinary importance with a wide geographical distribution. It is endemic in Mediterranean countries and in regions of Africa, Asia, South and Central America [1]. But CanL is also an important concern in non-endemic regions. In Germany, increasing numbers of dogs are becoming infected by L. infantum as a result of travelling to Mediterranean countries, or being imported from these regions. It is estimated that there are 20,000 infected dogs in Germany [2]. Canine infection is associated with variable clinical manifestations, ranging from unapparent subclinical infections to fatal visceralizing disease.

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