Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine visceral leishmaniasis found in new area of Rio de Janeiro
By Abrantes, Tuanne Rotti et al.·Published in Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo·2016·Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: IDENTIFICATION OF CANINE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN A PREVIOUSLY UNAFFECTED AREA BY CONVENTIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES AND CELL-BLOCK FIXATION.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in a previously unaffected area of Brazil was tested for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), a serious disease caused by a parasite. Out of 145 dogs examined, several tested positive for the disease using different blood tests, with the best results coming from a special technique that examined bone marrow. This study found that the parasite is now present in the area, which raises concerns about the potential spread of CVL among dogs in the region. Pet owners should be aware of this risk and consult their veterinarian if they notice symptoms like weight loss, skin lesions, or lethargy in their dogs.
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Abstract
After the report of a second case of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in São Bento da Lagoa, Itaipuaçu, in the municipality of Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State, an epidemiological survey was carried out, through active search, totaling 145 dogs. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and rapid chromatographic immunoassay based on dual-path platform (DPP) were used to perform the serological examinations. The parasitological diagnosis of cutaneous fragments was performed by parasitological culture, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. In the serological assessment, 21 dogs were seropositive by IFA, 17 by ELISA, and 11 by DPP, with sensitivity of 66.7%, 66.7% and 50%, and specificity of 87.2%, 90.2% and 94%, respectively for each technique. The immunohistochemistry of bone marrow using the cell-block technique presented the best results, with six positive dogs found, three of which tested negative by the other parasitological techniques. Leishmania sp. was isolated by parasitological culture in three dogs. The detection of autochthonous Leishmania infantum in Itaipuaçu, and the high prevalence of seropositive dogs confirm the circulation of this parasite in the study area and alert for the risk of expansion in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26910449/