Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Young dog in Italy with skin infection from two parasites Leishmania
By Tarantino, C et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2001·Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Leishmania infantum and Neospora caninum simultaneous skin infection in a young dog in Italy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old Argentine Dogo was brought in with skin lesions and neurological signs. Tests revealed that the dog was infected with both Leishmania infantum, which causes leishmaniasis, and Neospora caninum, a protozoal infection. The vet found inflammation in the skin and confirmed the presence of both infections through specialized testing. This case is notable as it is the first known instance of a dog having both infections at the same time. Treatment details were not specified, but addressing both infections is crucial for recovery.
People also search for: dog skin lesions · Leishmania treatment in dogs · Neospora caninum symptoms in dogs
Abstract
Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine leishmaniasis in Mediterranean countries, and Neospora caninum, a recently recognized protozoal pathogen in dogs, were diagnosed in a 9-month-old Argentine Dogo dog. Both skin lesions and neurological signs were present. Histopathology of cutaneous lesions revealed a suppurative, diffuse dermatitis with numerous intracellular protozoa. Serology was positive for both L. infantum (1:640) and N. caninum (1:800). Double-label immunohistochemical staining of skin samples with hyperimmune serum from L. infantum-infected dogs was positive for protozoa within macrophages, while the polyclonal antibody specific for N. caninum showed positive reactions for protozoa in endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the infection with both protozoa. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first case of simultaneous infection with L. infantum and N. caninum in a dog. It is possible that the immunosuppressive effects of Leishmania infection or long-term steroid therapy may have been a contributing factor to the development of N. caninum in this dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11705654/