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Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Challenges in Diagnostics and Control of Parasitic Zoonoses
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Challenges in Diagnostics and Control of Parasitic Zoonoses

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 231

Editors

Dr. Danica Bogunović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: parasitology; parasitic diseases of animals; vector-borne diseases; parasitic zoonoses; one health
Dr. Milan Rajkovic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: parasitology; parasitic diseases of animals; molecular diagnostic

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitic zoonoses should be based on the OneHealth approach. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for the surveillance, management, and control of these parasitic zoonoses. Their slow, chronic course, often defined by nonspecific clinical symptoms, complex life cycles, the involvement of various host species, and continuous presence of developmental stages in the environment, makes the control of these diseases even more difficult. The variable sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests, limited standardization among laboratories, cross-reactivity, intermittent or no shedding of developmental stages, and larval migration are some of the factors that can lead to false-positive or false-negative results, thereby affecting surveillance, treatment and prevention strategies.

We are looking for papers addressing zoonotic parasites, vector-borne and food-borne, highlighting the development and implementation of new diagnostic and control methods, including Chinese medicine and other alternatives. We are particularly keen to publish submissions that address integrated multidisciplinary human, animal, and ecological research for the enhancement of veterinary and public health.

The aim of this Special Issue is to share knowledge and experience from different geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic areas of the world in order to fill the existing gaps in the surveillance, prevention, and control programs of emerging and re-emerging parasitic zoonoses.

Dr. Danica Bogunović
Dr. Milan Rajkovic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • parasitic zoonoses
  • integrated approach
  • methodology
  • one health
  • diagnostics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 591 KB  
Article
Seroprevalence and Factors Associated with Canine Leishmaniasis in Baringo County, Kenya: Implications for an Integrated One Health Surveillance
by Hellen Njeri Maingi, Maingi Ndichu, Richard B. Yapi, James Ng’ang’a Chege, Davis Njuguna Karanja, Bruno Enagnon Lokonon, Cherotich Jesca Tangus, Helena Ngowi, Damaris Matoke-Muhia and Bassirou Bonfoh
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(9), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13090857 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonotic disease recognized by WHO as a priority neglected tropical disease (NTD) targeted for elimination by 2030. The disease is transmitted through bites of infected female phlebotomine sand flies and presents in three main forms: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral [...] Read more.
Leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonotic disease recognized by WHO as a priority neglected tropical disease (NTD) targeted for elimination by 2030. The disease is transmitted through bites of infected female phlebotomine sand flies and presents in three main forms: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has two distinct epidemiological cycles: anthroponotic visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) cycle, caused by L. donovani and transmitted between humans, and zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) cycle, caused by L. infantum, with domestic dogs as the main reservoirs. ZVL represents the most severe clinical form and poses a public health risk due to a high fatality rate. In Kenya, the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of Leishmania infection among the canine population in endemic areas such as Baringo are poorly characterized. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in Baringo County, Kenya, one of the endemic foci for human visceral leishmaniasis. Blood samples were collected from 140 dogs in Rabai, Sabor, Mbechot, Kapkuikui, and Chemolingot and analyzed using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data on potential epidemiological factors and clinical status for dogs were collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s chi-square (χ2) test or Fisher’s exact test to assess associations between Leishmania seropositivity and potential risk factors. A stepwise logistic regression procedure with an entry significance level of p < 0.20 was employed to identify factors associated with leishmaniasis seroprevalence. Cohen’s kappa (κ) agreement was used to assess the diagnostic performance and accuracy of the two serological tests in the absence of a gold standard. The overall seropositivity in dogs was 7.79% and 12.14% at 95% CI for the RDT and ELISA, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified breed and clinical signs as significant factors associated with Leishmania seropositivity in dogs. Local-breed dogs were more likely to be Leishmania seropositive than mixed-breed dogs (OR = 11.92; 95% CI: 1.79–79.37; p = 0.010). Dogs without clinical signs exhibited significantly lower odds of ELISA seropositivity (OR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01–0.29; p < 0.001). Dogs with proper care and housing conditions had reduced risk of Leishmania seropositivity compared with poorly managed dogs. Significant association with seropositivity was observed for sex, age, origin, and reason for keeping dogs. Diagnostic evaluation showed that the RDT had an excellent specificity and Positive Predictive Value (100%), with good overall agreement with ELISA, although sensitivity was 64.7%. Hence, RDT can be a reliable alternative screening tool compared with ELISA as the reference standard. The study demonstrated the presence of Leishmania infection in the dog population in Baringo County, Kenya, a significant public health risk. Early detection and diagnosis of infections in dogs through an integrated One Health approach during routine surveillance are essential. This will facilitate treatment and/or culling of infected dogs and vector control, subsequently reducing the risk of human transmission. Hence, it will go a long way to achieving WHO’s roadmap of eliminating leishmaniasis by 2030. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Diagnostics and Control of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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