title: Seizures as a Consequence of Hyperviscosity Syndrome in Two Dogs Naturally Infected with Leishmania infantum.
abstract: Serum hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) was documented in two dogs with canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and seizures as the major clinical complaint. In both cases, laboratory abnormalities included mild non-regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperproteinemia with monoclonal gammopathy, and marked serum hyperviscosity. CanL was diagnosed using cytology in one case and indirect immunofluorescence assay and conventional polymerase chain reaction in the second. Specific therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol(c) led to short-term remission in both dogs and normalization of serum viscosity. Although dogs rarely develop HVS, it should be suspected if hyperproteinemia and monoclonal gammopathy are present. Since CanL manifests with a variety of clinical presentations, including seizures resulting from HVS-induced central nervous system hypoxia, it should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in animals with seizures as a primary presenting sign.
authors.affiliation: From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Proverbio
authors.affiliation: From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spada
authors.affiliation: From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perego
authors.affiliation: From Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giada Bagnagatti
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: de Giorgi
mesh_terms: D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D018314:Leishmania infantum; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D000493:Allopurinol; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate