title: Parasite load in intact and ulcerative skin of dogs with leishmaniais.
abstract: The skin is the site of inoculation of Leishmania spp. in susceptible hosts, and consequently dermatopathies, especially ulcerative dermatitis, are the main clinical signs observed. The aim of this study was to assess parasitism of the skin (intact and ulcerated) among dogs that were naturally infected by Leishmania spp., through immunohistochemical analysis. Skin fragments (intact and ulcerated) were collected from 13 dogs with positive parasitological (bone marrow aspiration and exfoliative skin) and serological examinations (ELISA S7 Biogene) for Leishmania spp. These samples were processed using the immunohistochemical technique, involving the streptavidin-peroxidase complex. Ulcerative lesions were mainly observed on the elbows (53.84%; 7/13), nostrils (15.38%; 2/13), ears (23.07%; 3/13) and wings of the ilium (7.69%; 1/13). A severe parasite load was detected in 46.15% and 76.92% of the intact and ulcerated skin samples tested, respectively. The parasite load on ulcerated skin was statistically higher than on intact skin (p = 0.0221). These results indicate that the intact and ulcerated skin may host a high parasite load of amastigote forms of Leishmania spp., which can favor the transmission of the parasite.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: Francine Maria de França
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: Edna Michely de Sá
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: Sandra Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: Elise Miyuki
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yamasak
authors.affiliation: Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: Rafael Antonio Nascimento
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: Leucio Câmara
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D059208:Parasite Load / Q000662:veterinary*; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology*