Histopathological and parasitological investigations of ear healthy skin of dogs naturally and experimentally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi.
Although 90% of clinical cases of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) occur in the northeastern region of Brazil, the incidence of cases in recent years has increased in southeastern states such as Minas Gerais (MG), where the disease has been reported in several cities, including Belo Horizonte, the state capital. Some studies have shown a strong correlation between the incidence of AVL and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Belo Horizonte. A study of 108 dogs with parasite Leishmania chagasi detected by immuno-histochemistry in healthy ear skin was obtained from two distinct geographical areas: 55 from a metropolitan area of the municipality (Santa Luzia, MG) and 53 dogs from a central area of Belo Horizonte. In parallel, a group of 10 beagles were experimentally infected with L. chagasi. Considering the clinical aspects of all naturally infected dogs, symptomatic dogs were more frequent than asymptomatic ones, especially animals from the metropolitan area compared with the central area (79.6% and 20.3%, respectively). A chronic exudate was observed in the ear of 51 out of 55 dogs naturally infected from the metropolitan area (92.7%) and 45 out of 53 dogs naturally infected from the central area (84.9%). Importantly, asymptomatic dogs from the central area harbor more parasites in the skin than the asymptomatic ones from the metropolitan area. In addition, a profound difference was noted in the intensity of the inflammatory reaction and parasite load in the skin of experimental infected dogs.
Figueiredo
Maria Marta
MM
Department of General Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Moura
Eliane Perlatto
EP
Costa
Miriam Maria
MM
Ribeiro
Vitor Marcio
VM
Michalick
Marilene Suzan
MS
Tafuri
Washington Luiz
WL
Tafuri
Wagner Luiz
WL
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D004423:Ear / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D007891:Leishmania / Q000469:parasitology*; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000469:parasitology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology