Canine visceral leishmaniasis: imaging study in naturally infected dogs

Author(s)

Alexandre Redson Soares da Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Botucatu. 2015-05-14.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Botucatu
• Defense date: 2014-03-28
• Advisor: Maria Jaqueline Mamprim

Abstract

Locomotor alterations are uncommon in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Although the origin of clinical signs remain unclear, polyarthritis should be considered as a potential diagnosis in these cases. Many etiological agents may cause polyarthropathies, which are classified into inflammatory and non-inflammatory. It is believed that the polyarthritis induced by Leishmania spp. may be due to a granulomatous inflammatory reaction caused by the presence of parasites or by cellular and humoral response. Clinical diagnosis is still a challenge for health professionals, due to the great variety of nonspecific clinical signs on VL. Thus, the aim of the present study were to evaluate radiographically and tomographically elbows, carpal, stifle and tarsal joints, in order to characterize the osteoarticular lesions, providing subsidies for veterinary practitioners in endemic areas. For this, 46 dogs were used, naturally infected, with diagnosis confirmed by immunochromatography (95.65%), ELISA (97.82%) and/or cytological (95.65%) methods, from the Zoonoses Control Center of Bauru. There was no preference to gender (1:1). The majority of animals were mixed breed (78.26%). Ages varied from 1 to 12 years, with a median of 3 years. Clinical signs consistent with polyarthritis were observed in 32.60%. Radiographic and tomographic alterations were observed in 77% and 91% of dogs, respectively, with tarsal joints the most affected on both methods, on asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs. Imaging signs varied, and it was not possible to establish a pattern for the disease, however the presence of apparent trabecular bone, bone sclerosis and osteolysis were the most frequently observed. Furthermore, we noticed a tendency for bilateral and symmetric involvement. It was observed a lack of significance when comparing the radiographic and tomographic lesions between symptomatic and asymptomatic ... (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/01526-3 - Canine visceral leishmaniasis: abdominal imaging study of the appendicular skeleton in dogs naturally infected
• Grantee: Alexandre Redson Soares da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate