Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Six local cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis found in Pedregulho
By Cássia Regina de Abreu et al.·Published in Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Description of six autochthonous cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed in Pedregulho (São Paulo, Brazil)
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Six dogs in Pedregulho, Brazil, were diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis, a serious infectious disease spread by sand flies. These dogs showed various symptoms that can be similar to other illnesses, making diagnosis challenging. To confirm the disease, veterinarians used blood tests and a bone marrow test, which is the most reliable method. This case is particularly concerning because it occurred in an area previously thought to be safe from this disease. Treatment options for leishmaniasis typically include medications to help manage symptoms and reduce the parasite load.
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Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is an infectious disease of chronic, emerging and zoonotic nature that presents various degrees of severity. In Brazil, this illness is caused by Leishmania infantum (Leishmania chagasi), which is transmitted by the bite of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, and dogs are its main reservoir. Given the increasing spread of this disease across Brazil, the aim of this study was to report on six cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis, diagnosed in June 2013, in the city of Pedregulho, State of São Paulo, considered to be a non-endemic area and free of phlebotomine sand flies. The diagnosis was based on clinical signs of the patients and additional tests (serological and parasitological). It was concluded that the diagnosis of leishmaniasis is complex because the clinical signs are similar to other systemic diseases, thus justifying the importance of parasitological test of bone marrow, considered "gold standard", in the confirmation of the disease. In addition, the area was not, until now, considered risk place, despite notification.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612015025