@article{1281, keywords = {granulomatous inflammation, nictitating membrane, Leishmania infantum}, author = {L Zind and R Troyke and K Turban and D Schaudien and W Baumgärtner and F Hansmann}, title = {An imported case of feline leishmaniosis in Germany with a literature review on feline leishmaniosis}, abstract = {Leishmaniosis is a vector-transmitted, zoonotic, protozoal disease, which is endemic in many countries in the world, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. In Europe, leishmaniosis induced by Leishmania infantum is endemic in countries of the Mediterranean Basin. This report describes a Leishmania infantum induced granulomatous inflammation in the nictitating membrane diagnosed in Germany in a cat from Spain six years after importation and gives an overview of the pathogenesis as well as detection of leishmaniosis in cats. This cat showed a 1 cm in diameter large nodule in the nictitating membrane which was surgically removed. Histopathology revealed a granulomatous inflammation with intrahistiocytic protozoal organisms. Protozoal organisms were identified as Leishmania spp. using transmission electron microscopy and in situ hybridisation. Sequencing of the ITS1-gene revealed a 100% sequence identity with Leishmania infantum. Sand flies of the species Phlebotomus, necessary for the vectorial transmission of Leishmania spp., have been recently present in northern parts of Europe and increase the risk for the development of autochthone cases. In non-endemic regions of northern Europe, the occurrence of the sand flies species Phlebotomus (P.) perniciosus and P. mascittii have recently been detected. The increasingly northern distribution of the vectors and the current case show that leishmaniosis is an essential differential diagnosis when nodular changes in the skin or mucosa occur in cats.}, year = {2018}, journal = {Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift}, volume = {131}, month = {04/2018}, publisher = {Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {0005-9366}, doi = {10.2376/0005-9366-17061}, language = {English}, }