Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Early antibody response and outcomes in dogs with leishmaniasis
By Olías-Molero, Ana Isabel et al.·Published in Scientific reports·2019·Department of Animal Health, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Early antibody response and clinical outcome in experimental canine leishmaniasis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 Beagle dogs was intentionally infected with a parasite that causes leishmaniasis, a serious disease that can affect both dogs and humans. Over 16 weeks, the dogs showed a wide range of symptoms, and their immune responses varied significantly. Tests like ELISA and western blotting were effective in diagnosing the infection early on. Some specific proteins were identified that could help with early diagnosis. However, the severity of the disease didn't consistently match the test results, indicating that while these tests are useful, they may not always predict how sick a dog will get.
People also search for: dog leishmaniasis symptoms · Beagle parasite infection treatment · early diagnosis leishmaniasis in dogs
Abstract
Infected dogs are the main reservoir of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis, a widespread parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum. Therefore, the control of canine infections is required to reduce the incidence of human cases. Disease outcome in dogs depends on the fine balance between parasite virulence and efficacy of the immune system. Thus, knowledge of early response could yield relevant information for diagnosis and follow-up. In our study, 20 Beagle dogs were intravenously infected with 10amastigotes of a fresh isolate of L. infantum and monitored along 16 weeks post inoculation. Specific antibody response and clinical evolution of infected animals were highly variable. Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were useful to assess infection status, although only ELISA with promastigote-coated plates and, particularly, western blotting (WB) allowed an early diagnosis. Prominent antigens were identified by mass peptide fingerprinting. Chaperonin HSP60, 32 and 30 KDa antigens were recognized by all dogs on week 10 post infection. This suggests that these antigens may be valuable for early diagnosis. Advanced infection showed, in addition, reactivity to HSP83 and HSP70. Disease outcome did not show a clear relationship with ELISA or IFAT titers. Correlation between the clinical status and the combined reactivity to some antigens sustains their use for diagnosis and follow-up.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31819140/