Infection with Leishmania spp. (Leishmaniosis)

Article 8.11.1.

General provisions

For the purposes of the Terrestrial Code, leishmaniosis is defined as an infection of dogs and cats (hereafter 'susceptible animal') by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, family Trypanosomatidae, order Kinetoplastida.

The infection is usually transmitted by the bite of an infected phlebotomine sand fly belonging to the genera Phlebotomus (Old World) or Lutzomyia (New World).

The following defines the occurrence of infection with Leishmania spp.:

1. Leishmania spp. amastigotes have been observed and identified as such in a sample from a susceptible animal; or

2. nucleic acid specific to Leishmania spp. has been detected in a sample from a susceptible animal showing clinical signs or pathological lesions consistent with infection with Leishmania spp., or epidemiologically linked to a confirmed or suspected case, or giving cause for suspicion of previous association or contact with Leishmania spp.; or

3. antibodies specific to Leishmania spp. that are not the consequence of vaccination have been detected in a sample from a susceptible animal showing clinical signs or pathological lesions consistent with infection with Leishmania spp., or epidemiologically linked to a confirmed or suspected case, or giving cause for suspicion of previous association or contact with Leishmania spp.

Standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines are described in the Terrestrial Manual.

nb: first adopted in 2023.