Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood and lab changes in dogs with Leishmania chagasi infection
By Freitas, José Cláudio Carneiro de et al.·Published in Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical·2012·Programa de Pó·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical and laboratory alterations in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 85 dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), caused by the parasite Leishmania chagasi, showed serious health issues. Many of these dogs had symptoms like weight loss, eye problems, and swollen lymph nodes. Blood tests revealed significant reductions in red blood cells and hemoglobin, indicating anemia, along with other serious changes in their blood chemistry. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the clinical signs and conducting blood tests for dogs suspected of having CVL. Treatment options may include medications to manage symptoms and support their overall health.
People also search for: dog weight loss symptoms · canine leishmaniasis treatment · dog eye problems · dog blood test results · Leishmania chagasi in dogs
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a zoonotic disease with different clinical manifestations. Parasitism often occurs in bone marrow, but changes have been observed in peripheral blood and serum biochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania chagasi. METHODS: Eighty-five adult dogs of both sexes and various weights and ages from the Zoonosis Control Center of Fortaleza (CCZ) were used, selected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and considered positive with IFA titers greater than 1:40 and by visualizing amastigotes of Leishmania chagasi in smears obtained by bone marrow aspiration. The dogs (n = 85) were grouped according to clinical signs: negative (CN = 7), subclinical (CS = 10), and clinical (CC = 68). Blood samples were collected for determination of hematological and biochemical serum values. The experimental protocol was approved by the CEUA/UECE. RESULTS: The most frequent clinical signs were cachexia (77.9%), keratitis (61.8%), and lymphadenopathy (55.9%), and 86.8% of the animals showed more than one clinical sign characteristic of CVL. In CC were observed reductions in red blood cells (63%), hematocrit (72%), and hemoglobin (62%), as well as leukocytosis (33%), neutropenia (28%), thrombocytopenia (50%), uremia (45%), hyperproteinemia (53%, p<0.05), hypergammaglobulinemia (62%, p<0.01), and hypoalbuminemia (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Animals with the clinical form of the disease demonstrate hematological and biochemical changes consistent with anemia, uremia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperglobulinemia, which present themselves as strong clinical markers of visceral leishmaniasis associated with the signs previously reported.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22370824/