Leishmania infantum in the reproductive organs of dogs

Author(s)

da Silva, Diogo Tiago ^{[1, 2]} ; Alves, Maria Luana ^{[1, 3]} ; Pereira Spada, Julio Cesar ^{[1, 2]} ; Franco Leonel, Joao Augusto ^{[1, 3]} ; Benassi, Julia Cristina ^[3] ; Starke-Buzetti, Wilma Aparecida ^[4] ; Ferreira, Helena Lage ^{[1, 3]} ; Keid, Lara Borges ^{[1, 3]} ; Soares, Rodrigo Martins ^{[5, 1]} ; Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira, Tricia Maria ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Epidemiol Expt Aplicada Zoonoses, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Saude Anim, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fundacao Educ Andradina, Fac Ciencias Agr Andradina, Andradina, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Med Vet Prevent Aplicada, Dept Med Vet, Fac Zootecnia & Engn Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estado Sao Paulo UNESP, Dept Biol & Zootecnia, Fac Engn Ilha Solteira, Ilha Solteira, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Saude Anim, Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Ciência Rural; v. 51, n. 10 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Leishmania infantum causes canine leishmaniasis. Using parasitological and molecular analyses, we identified L. infantum in the reproductive organs of male and female dogs. Using histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and PCR, we examined tissue samples from the reproductive organs of 8 male dogs and 16 female dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis. Despite the absence of macroscopic or microscopic lesions in these organs, we observed L. infantum amastigotes in tissue samples from the testis and the uterus. PCR and sequencing of these tissues revealed sequences that matched 100% with L. infantum DNA available at GenBank. The presence of L. infantum amastigotes and DNA in testicular and uterine tissue samples suggested that these organs can harbor the parasite without associated macroscopic or microscopic lesions, and this can be especially important in the vertical and venereal transmission of leishmaniasis in dogs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/13875-5 - Correlation of the granulocytic and monocytic cell profiles in the intestine of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum
• Grantee: Diogo Tiago da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master