Canine leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum: clinical aspects and distribution of the disease in northeastern Argentina

NEVOT, C; HOYOS C; MOYA A; UNCOS, R; UNCOS, AD; RUSSO PD; MELEGATTI MC; BOEDE C; BRACAMONTE E; BERNATENES CM; GUANTAY BRIONES AL; SÁNCHEZ CE; ARLETTAZ MA; SLUMCZESKI PL; SÁNCHEZ NEGRETTE O; MORA, MC; BARROSO, PA; BASOMBRÍO, MA; ESTEVEZ JO; MARCO, JD

Toledo

Congreso; Worldleish 6; 2017

Worldleish 6

BackgroundCanine leishmaniosis (CanL) is endemic in northwestern Argentina. In 2006, the first autochtonous case wasdiagnosed in Posadas, Misiones. Here, we describe clinical and epidemiological aspects of this ailment.MethodsTwo hundred and eleven dogs suspected of having CanL, were surveyed between 2006 and 2016 in severalnortheastern Argentina cities, particularly in the province of Misiones. Diagnosis was reached through a combinationof several methods, the search for amastigotes on smears of bone marrow or lymph node aspirates, PCR, and ELISAusing crude extracts or recombinant Leishmania antigens. Criteria recommended by Leishvet were applied for clinicalstaging. Leishmania species identification was done by applying Low Stringency Single Specific Primer-PCR methodon DNA templates obtained from the aspirates.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-three out of 211 dogs (72.5%), were diagnosed as CanL. Seventy-nine of them (51.5%) werefemales. Average age was 6.5 ± 3.6 years. The most frequent clinical stage was IIa, with 64 cases (41.8%). Patients atthis stage displayed moderate disease (abundant clinical signs, presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies and nodetectable alterations of kidney function at biochemical level). Stages I, IIb and III were represented by 29 (19%), 25 (16.3%), and 18 (11.7%) dogs, respectively. Only four patients reached stage IV (2.6%). On the other hand, 13subjects (8.5%) were asymptomatic. Leishmania (L.) infantum is incriminated as the causal agent of CanL in the area,highlighting four cases from Puerto Rico city, and two from Jardín América, in addition to those found in Posadaspreviously.ConclusionsThe predominance of IIa stage indicates that animals are being detected early in the evolution of the disease, thusspeeding their inclusion in treatment protocols and therefore their chances of recovery or cure. ELISA serologicalreactions helped the detection of asymptomatic CanL. The application of a protocol for handling these cases isdiscussed. Two cities have been added to the geographic distribution area of L (L.) infantum, suggesting the expansionof this species in the region of Misiones.