<em>Leishmania tarentolae</em> and <em>Leishmania infantum</em> in geckos from MallorcaIsland, Spain

interest in the Mediterranean basin. This study investigated the PCR prevalence of L. tarentolae and L. infantum

in two gecko species (Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus) present on Mallorca Island, Spain,

using duplex quantitative PCR. A total of 59 geckos were sampled across the island, including 53 T. mauritanica

and six H. turcicus. Tissue and blood samples were screened by PCR for both parasites. The results revealed the

prevalence of Leishmania infection in adult T. mauritanica, with 10/49 (20.41 %) testing PCR positive for L. tarentolae

only and with 1/49 (2.04 %) for L. infantum only. Coinfection with both parasites was detected in 3/49

geckos (6.12 %). No positives were identified in H. turcicus, probably due to small sample size. Regarding PCR

positivity by tissues, coleomic organs were more likely to be positive for L. tarentolae in adult T. mauritanica than

blood, with a slighter PCR positivity in the liver, spleen and lung. This study provides further insight into the interaction

between Leishmania and geckos in leishmaniosis-endemic areas such as Mallorca.