Molecular evidence of Leishmania infantum circulation in non-traditional wildlife hosts from Central Spain
Poster presented in EOHA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. International One Health Congress
May 18th, 2026
Garcia N., Fernandez H., Martinez I., Navarro A., Iriso A., Gonzalez S., Villaverde-Morcillo S. and Ayllon T.
Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted by sandflies. In Europe, domestic dogs are the main hosts; however, infections have been increasingly reported in wild mammals, including carnivores, ungulates, lagomorphs, rodents and bats. The role of non-traditional wildlife hosts in the maintenance and transmission of Leishmania spp. remains insufficiently investigated in Central Spain. Systematic surveillance is essential to clarify parasite circulation, identify potential reservoirs, and support evidence-based control strategies. This study aimed to assess the presence of Leishmania infantum infection in wild ungulates, wild carnivores and bats from the Madrid Region using ear skin samples, and to evaluate their potential involvement in parasite circulation in natural ecosystems. Between 2024 and 2025, 200 wild mammals from various municipalities in the Madrid Region were sampled. Species included bats, foxes, raccoons, cervids, wild boars, carnivores, and other wild mammals. Ear skin samples were analyzed by real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect L. infantum DNA. L. infantum DNA was detected in 6/200 animals (3.0% prevalence, IC 95%: 1.38-6.39), including four red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and a Vietnamese pig (Sus scrofa domesticus). All other species tested negative.These findings indicate that several wild mammal species, particularly red foxes, a roe deer and a Vietnamese pig, harbor L. infantum infection in Central Spain. Detection in red foxes and roe deer aligns with previous reports from Europe, including Spain, suggesting that these species may contribute to parasite maintenance in endemic areas. Although the role of suids in Leishmania spp. epidemiology remains unclear, this finding suggests that peri-domestic or non-traditional hosts could participate in local transmission cycles. While the epidemiological significance requires further investigation, wildlife surveillance improves understanding of parasite circulation and supports integrated control strategies within a One Health approach
 | Servicio de Zoonosis Emergentes, de Baja Prevalencia y Agresivos Biológicos (NED). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
 | Dirección General de Salud Pública. Consejería de Sanidad. Comunidad de Madrid. |
Link to EOHA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. International One Health Congress
