In the first semester of 2011 (Feb. 11th) in Rome, the spring meeting of the CLWG has been held. The main aims were to update the guidelines of diagnosis and treatment of canine leishmaniasis in comparison to those published in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In addition, the half-day program within the mainframe of the International SCIVAC congress of Rimini has been discussed focusing on the several oral presentations to be accepted and reviewed. The criteria to award the best oral presentation for the “CLWG-Hill’s prize for the best contribution to the advancement of knowledge in leishmaniasis” have been assessed. Moreover, the resignation of Prof. Castagnaro has been accepted that were caused by institutional duties that did not allow to him to attend the activities of the CLWG.
Within the frame of the Multihall International Congress SCIVAC of Rimini, Friday afternoon May 27th, the session devoted to the leishmaniasis organized by the CLWG, thanks to the support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, has been held. Initially, the program scheduled a short presentation of the activities and aims of the CLWG done by Prof. Lubas. In that occasion Prof. Lubas mentioned that updates regarding the guidelines of diagnosis and treatment have been published in the Veterinaria journal (
see link 1). The two articles are:
Paltrinieri S., Fondati A., Lubas G., Gradoni L., Crotti A., Oliva G., Maroli M., Roura X., Zatelli A., Zini E. - Leishmaniosi canina aggiornamenti su diagnosi e terapia. Parte I: Approccio diagnostico (Canine leishmaniasis update on diagnosis and therapy. Part I: diagnostic approach) - Veterinaria, 25, (2), 7-16, 2011 ( see link 2)
Oliva G., Roura X., Crotti A., Fondati A., Gradoni L., Lubas G., Maroli M., Paltrinieri S., Zatelli A., Zini E. - Leishmaniosi canina aggiornamenti su diagnosi e terapia. Parte II: terapia (Canine leishmaniasis update on diagnosis and therapy. Part II: therapy) - Veterinaria, 25 (2), 19-24, 2011 ( see link 3)
The scientific program continued with the oral presentation of several investigations prepared from private practitioners, Academia, and national veterinary health services from Emilia Romagna region. The clinical investigations presented were:
- the treatment of leishmaniasis using miltefosine and allopurinol in patients followed for the clinical and parassitological point of view for more than 24 months (Dr. Ariti)la valutazione
- the preliminary evaluation of an inflammatory marker, paroxonasis, in comparison to other markers, to assess the clinical remission in patients treated against leishmaniasis (Dr. Rossi),
- the evaluation of proteinuria in dogs affected by leishmaniasis and then treated with antimonials and allopurinol combination (Dr. Pierantozzi).
Finally, investigations of epidemiological survey have been presented which take origin from an agreement protocol of Emilia Romagna region. These studies pointed out the spread of this important disease in dogs of this area in relationship to the possible public health utility and human protection. The first presentation explained the protocol plan adopted by the region (Dr. Lombardini), the second one pointed out the practical application of this protocol plan in the Bologna province (Dr. Matteucci), and then the last one using a space–time analysis examined the epidemiological position of Rimini province which resulted by far the most exposed area (Dr. Brianti). These investigations have been realized thanks to the cooperation of private practitioners (the main actors in the prevention and therapy of this disease), Zooprophylactic Institutions, Academia and Public health service of Emilia Romagna region ( see link 4).
At the end of the scientific session, the presentation of Prof. Oliva followed dealing with “Canine leishmaniasis vaccine: current knowledge and expectations” which caught the striking interest of the audience because a vaccine has been introduced recently and officially in the European market (Portugal) just few days before this congress ( see link 5).
At the end of the scientific session the attending members of the CLWG decided to award the “CLWG-Hill’s prize for the best contribution to the advancement of knowledge in leishmaniasis” to the abstract presented by Dr. Brianti, whose title is: “Space-time analysis of canine leishmaniasis cases in the Rimini province in the last decade”.
The abstract resulted from the cooperation of both University Veterinary Department of Messina and Bologna and the local veterinary health services. The reason of the CLWG to award this abstract was related to the stimulus that the veterinary health services have induced in that area to have a better knowledge of the epidemiology of this disease. Dr. Brianti will receive a gross sum of 2,000 euros and the specific distinction in the CLWG activities.
Finally, in the number 16 current year of the journal “La Professione Veterinaria” (The veterinary activities”) the investigation prepared by Prof. Lubas and Dr. Badiale about “www.gruppoleishmania.org: the last five years of activities” has been published ( see link 6).
