IMMUNOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF DOGS NATURALLY DIAGNOSED WITH VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS SUBMITTED TO THERAPEUTIC PLASMA EXCHANGE (TPT)

• Grant number: 25/10141-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun Guimaraes-Okamoto
• Grantee: Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun Guimaraes-Okamoto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Botucatu

Abstract

The therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an emerging apheresis therapy in veterinary research given its potential contribution to the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive production of antibodies and immune complexes harmful to the body. Among such conditions, canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) stands out due to its increasing incidence, zoonotic nature, and various systemic immunological effects it generates in the patient. Understanding the potential outcomes of TPE on specific immunological parameters associated with CVL could make the therapy an adjunct option for treating this condition. The aim of this study is to describe the effects of centrifugation-based TPE on immunological parameters of dogs naturally diagnosed with CVL. Twenty-six dogs were selected, comprising two groups: the clinical treatment group (n = 13) and the clinical treatment + TPE group (n = 13). In animals from the latter group, a daily TPE session was performed for three consecutive days (D1, D2, and D3). Blood samples were collected from all animals, with those undergoing TPE having samples collected before and after the procedure. Additionally, samples of plasma removed from each animal during TPE were collected. The immunological evaluation of the study animals will involve the measurement of cytokines (IL4, IL6, IL10, IL18, TNF-¿, and IFN-¿) and immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgM, IgA, and IgE) from the serum, as well as from the plasma removed during TPE. It is hypothesized that TPE may reduce the concentration of serum cytokines and immunoglobulins involved in the progressive form of CVL and improve the immunological and clinical response of the study animals, becoming a potential therapy for the future treatment of dogs affected by this condition. (AU)