Leishmania tarentolae and Leishmania infantum in geckos from Mallorca Island, Spain
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Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tarentolae are two sympatric parasites of significant ecological and epidemiological interest in the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in two gecko species ( Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus ) present on Mallorca Island, Spain, using duplex quantitative PCR. A total of 60 geckos were sampled across the island, including 54 T. mauritanica and six H. turcicus . Tissue and blood samples were screened for both parasites, and generalized linear models were used to assess organ-specific infection patterns. The results revealed high prevalence rates in T. mauritanica , with 24/54 (44.44%) testing positive for L. infantum and 22/54 (40.74%) for L. tarentolae. Coinfection with both parasites was detected in 11/54 individuals (20.37%). In contrast, H. turcicus showed a prevalence of 3/6 (50%) for L. infantum and 1/6 (16.66%) for L. tarentolae , with no coinfections detected, probably due to small sample size. Blood and heart tissues were more likely to harbor L. infantum in geckos, while L. tarentolae displayed no significant organ-specific predilection. These findings indicate that T. mauritanica and H. turcicus may act as reservoir hosts for both L. infantum and L. tarentolae . The shared vectors and overlapping transmission routes (e.g., vector-borne, oral, or gastrointestinal transmission) suggest that these gecko species could contribute to the maintenance of Leishmania transmission cycles in the region. The high prevalence rates and frequent coinfections highlight potential ecological interactions between the two parasites. Furthermore, the cross-reactivity of L. infantum serological tests with L. tarentolae reinforces the need for molecular methods to distinguish between these species. This study underscores the ecological importance of reptiles in Leishmania transmission and provides valuable data on the potential role of geckos in endemic areas like Mallorca.
Author Summary
Leishmaniosis is a disease caused by parasites that can infect both animals and humans. In Europe, Leishmania infantum is the main species responsible for the disease, with dogs acting as its primary host. However, recent research suggests that other animals, including reptiles, might also play a role in its spread. In this study, centered in wild geckos from Mallorca Island (Spain), we looked for L. infantum and Leishmania tarentolae , a related parasite mostly found in reptiles. Using quantitative PCR, we found that 44% of Tarentola mauritanica geckos carried L. infantum and 41% carried L. tarentolae . Additionally, we detected coinfection of both parasites in 20% of the geckos. The second gecko species we studied, Hemidactylus turcicus , was also infected but at lower rates, and no coinfections were found. These results suggest that geckos may host both parasites, potentially influencing their spread. Since L. tarentolae has been detected in dogs, and both parasites are found in the same environments, there could be alternative ways of transmission (e.g., dogs eating infected geckos). The high number of infections raises new questions about the role of reptiles in the disease cycle, the reliability of current diagnostic tests, and the need for further research to understand these connections.
