Short term impacts of meglumine antimoniate treatment on kidney function in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis.

This study examines correlations among serum proteins, clinical score, body weight and kidney function biomarkers after a standard treatment course (meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol) in twelve Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) patients at the three times points pre treatment, after treatment and after the end of treatment. The laboratory variables measured were those used for the follow-up of sick dogs along with biomarkers of kidney function: glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine (Cr), urea, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, urine specific gravity (USG) and urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC). Arterial blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, SBP), clinical score (CS) and weight were also monitored over the study period. At Tp0, GFR was within the normal range in most dogs. Hyperfiltration was detected in three patients and hypofiltration in one. In dogs showing hyperfiltration, this factor remained in the non-azotemic range over the whole study period. After treatment normal filtration values were recovered. Meglumine antimoniate did not modify GFR or USG. A significant reduction in UPC was recorded. In all dogs, clinical scores improved. Negative correlation was found between GFR and Cr, UPC and albumin (Alb) and CS and Alb, while positive correlation was detected between UPC and total globulins (GlobT), CS and GlobT, UPC and total solids (TS), SBP and CS and SBP and UPC. Our findings indicate no impacts on kidney function of the treatment of CanL with meglumine antimoniate, as no effects were produced on GFR or USG. Treatment was effective and found to reduce UPC which could suggest improved glomerular injury.