ObjectiveThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats in different countries worldwide raises concerns that pets are at a higher risk for spreading or transmitting of SARS-CoV-2 to humans and other pets and increased the research works about the zoonotic aspects and natural routes of infection in companion animals. The current study aimed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 in household dogs and cats living with COVID-19 positive owners. MethodsDeep oropharyngeal and rectal swabs were collected from 30 household pets (20 cats and 10 dogs) living with COVID-19 positive owners from April 2021 to 2022 in Kerman, Iran. All dogs' and cats' samples were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for detection of SARS-CoV-2. ResultsTwo household cats out of 20 examined (10%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, whereas none of the examined dogs were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The two cats positive for SARS-CoV-2 were symptomatic and suffered from severe anorexia with maximum contact with their infected owners. ConclusionThis study reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in household cats in close contact with COVID-19 positive owners during the circulation of new SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta and Omicron) in Iran and suggested that the transmission may have occurred from owners to their cats. Therefore, infected owners should eagerly limit close contact with their pets during COVID-19 illness.

Dogs are the primary reservoirs of Leishmania infantum (L. infantum), but Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) infection is also possible in dogs and can transmitted to humans. The southeast of Iran experiences a high prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), and veterinarians frequently encounter symptomatic cases. Therefore, from December 2017 to November 2022, the present case series was designed to assess the prevalence of CanL in owned dogs with cutaneous manifestations resembling CanL. A total of 500 owned dogs with dermal lesions from two endemic cities, Zabol and Kerman, were enrolled. Impression smears from skin lesions and popliteal lymph nodes were prepared from all cases, whereas blood samples were gathered from amastigote-positive dogs for serological and molecular surveys. Commercial ELISA was done on sera samples, and two-step nested PCR was used on extracted DNA to amplify variable fragments of the Leishmania species’ kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). Leishman bodies were microscopically detected in 7.2% (36/500) of dermal smears. Of the 360 owned dogs from Zabol, 2 have been diagnosed with L. tropica, and 10 have been diagnosed with L. infantum. Out of 140 owned dogs from Kerman, 8 were identified with L. tropica infection, and 16 were infected with L. infantum. Molecular results revealed the presence of 750 full dual-band bases related to the L. tropica species in 10/36 (27.7%) cases, which showed a considerable increase in canine cutaneous leishmaniosis compared with previous studies in southeastern Iran. The noticeable prevalence of L. tropica in owned dogs indicated that the dog’s role in cutaneous leishmaniosis should be re-evaluated as a possible animal reservoir in endemic areas.

Leishmaniasis, the most neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, poses a substantial global health concern. The present review provides an in-depth overview of current findings on apoptosis and cell death mechanisms in leishmaniasis, integrating current advancements and key components. It explores the intricate interaction between Leishmania spp. and host cell apoptosis, a crucial basis of disease outcome. Leishmania spp. and host cell death pathways interplay is highly complex and multi-layered, and the current review discusses how Leishmania parasites manipulate host cell apoptotic signal transduction to establish and sustain infection. This includes the subversion of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signaling, the modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, and managing host cell death machinery for their survival and pathogenesis. Moreover, the present review explores the emerging evidence of apoptosis in Leishmania parasites. This fascinating phenomenon, while less widely studied, recommends immense therapeutic potential in targeting parasite-persistent mechanisms. Finally, we critically analyze the challenges and future directions in this field, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the merits and mediator molecular mechanisms underlying Leishmania-induced apoptosis and its implications for novel therapeutic strategies against this debilitating disease.

Leishmaniasis is an important neglected disease among infectious diseases, which is highly affected by diverse adverse conditions. Due to the intricate nature of Leishmania , the impact of the disease remains significant. In this review, we aim to assess the role of these factors that influence disease trends and introduce preventive and control strategies, highlighting their importance in public health issues. Numerous influencing factors, such as trade and travel, civil unrest, migration, low socioeconomic status, peri‐urban settlements, ecological changes, climate variations, and many other confounding factors, play significant roles in the transmission and distribution of leishmaniasis. On the other hand, inadequate infrastructure and disruptions in the health system services are closely linked with the incidence of leishmaniasis in vulnerable populations. These circumstances contribute to the alteration of vector and reservoir compositions, land degradation, agricultural setbacks, water scarcity, and livestock depletion, resulting in increased infectious and noninfectious disease conditions. In conclusion, significant anthropic and natural environmental changes have the potential to trigger leishmaniasis outbreaks in established endemic areas and lead to the emergence/reemergence of new foci in previously unaffected regions. Consequently, enhancing public health awareness, particularly in high‐risk regions, along with implementing active and passive surveillance, ensuring early diagnosis, and providing timely and effective treatment for patients, are vital measures for controlling the disease.

Background: Feline vector-borne pathogens (FeVBPs) are common in tropical and subtropical countries, mainly due to favorable climate conditions for arthropod perpetuation coupled with limited preventive measures. However, data regarding the actual burden of these infections among cats are still scarce compared with dogs. The present study aimed to provide an overview of the prevalence of FeVBPs infections in Iran. Methods: From December 2018 to February 2023, a total of 848 cats of both sexes, different ages, and with outdoor lifestyle living in 7 provinces of Iran were blood sampled and molecularly screened for Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., Dirofilaria spp., and Leishmania spp. Results: Overall, 5.4% of cats scored positive for at least one VBP, with Hepatozoon spp. being the most common (3.8%), followed by Leishmania spp. (2.5%) and Dirofilaria immitis (0.7%). The Hepatozoon-positive cats lived in localities from the eastern, western, and central-northern regions; most of them (n = 25) were infected by Hepatozoon felis, and the remaining (n = 3) by Hepatozoon canis. Leishmania spp.-infected cats were detected from the east, center, and west of the country, while D. immitis-positive animals lived in central-north areas. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale molecular epidemiology study of vector-borne pathogens in cats in Iran. The circulation of several VBPs, including those with zoonotic potential (i.e., D. immitis and Leishmania spp.) highlights the importance of endo- and ectoparasite control measures in owned cats and suggests that controlling the population of feral animals (e.g., through spaying and neutering campaigns) would contribute to reducing the risk of transmission of VBPs. Graphical