Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Leishmania DNA in dogs using eye swab PCR test
By Magalhães, Karen Araújo et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2021·Curso de Medicina·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Polymerase chain reaction using conjunctival swab samples for detecting Leishmania DNA in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs was tested for leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a parasite, using a simple eye swab to collect samples. Out of 77 dogs, many showed signs of eye problems, like discharge or lesions, but the test found the parasite's DNA in 35 of them. Interestingly, the test was more likely to be positive in dogs without visible eye injuries. This method of using conjunctival swabs is quick and painless, making it a useful tool for diagnosing leishmaniasis in dogs, especially those without obvious eye issues.
People also search for: dog eye discharge leishmaniasis · how to test for leishmania in dogs · dog conjunctival swab test
Abstract
The dog is the main domestic reservoir of Leishmania and font of infection for the vector, constituting an important host for the transmission of the parasite to humans. Non-invasive collection of swab samples for leishmaniasis diagnosis has been a promising alternative. This study analyzed the positivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis in conjunctiva samples. DNA extraction was performed using SDS 20% and PCR was performed using 13A/13B primers that amplify 120-bp of Leishmania kDNA. Of the 77 dogs analyzed, 50 (64.93%) had ocular changes: 25 (32.47%) dogs had periocular lesion, 41 (53.25%) dogs had purulent eye discharge, and 17 (22.08%) dogs had both signals. PCR was positive in 35 dogs (45.45%), and there was no significant difference between dogs with and without ocular signals (p=0.4074). PCR positivity was significant higher in dogs without periocular injury (p=0.0018). Conjunctive PCR, a less invasive, fast, and painless collection technique, is indicated to complement the diagnosis, especially in dogs without periocular injury, independent of the presence of purulent eye discharge.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34259743/