Summary
Canine leishmaniasis is an emerging infection with increasing importance because the
main vector also exists in Germany and autochthonous infections have been described.
In this article we present the latest information available regarding therapy and
prevention of this disease. Allopurinol-resistant Leishmania infantum strains were isolated from dogs which experienced recurrent disease while being treated
with allopurinol, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options. Differing
results of long-term studies on the efficacy of miltefosine in combination with allopurinol
in comparison to meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol can affect the selection of
the treatment protocol. A high number of repellents with distinctive characteristics
is available for the prevention of infection in dogs. In Europe, two vaccines are
licensed for dogs which aim at reducing the risk of an active infection and the severity
clinical disease.
Keywords
Dietary nucleotides - AHCC - resistance - vaccination - LetiFend® - Cani-Leish®