Is Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis preferentially restricted to the cutaneous lesions of naturally infected dogs?
Nineteen dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were studied in order to determine the presence of the parasite outside cutaneous lesions. Eleven (57.9%) animals showed single cutaneous or mucosal lesions and eight (42.1%) presented two or three lesions. Twenty-eight active lesions were biopsied. Isolation in culture and characterization by enzyme electrophoresis were possible in 100% of cases and amastigote forms were visualized upon histopathological examination in three samples (n=25, 12%). Isolation of the parasite in culture from peripheral blood and intact skin fragments obtained from the scapular region was negative in all animals, as was the histopathological analysis of skin from this region. Serological reactivity determined by an immunofluorescent antibody test and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was demonstrated in 15 animals. The results obtained suggest that L. braziliensis preferentially remains at the site of lesion, in contrast to the systemic distribution of parasites observed in dogs infected with L. (Leishmania) chagasi. A better understanding of this aspect may help direct diagnostic and control strategies applicable to areas characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of the cutaneous and visceral forms of leishmaniasis, as is the case for the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Serviço de Parasitologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Brasil 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. fmadeira@ipec.fiocruz.br
Maria de Fátima
Mde F
Madeira
Armando de O
Ade O
Schubach
Tânia M P
TM
Schubach
Cathia M B
CM
Serra
Sandro A
SA
Pereira
Fabiano B
FB
Figueiredo
Eliame Mouta
EM
Confort
Leonardo P
LP
Quintella
Mauro C A
MC
Marzochi
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007897:Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins