Seroprevalence, Clinical, and Pathological Characteristics of Canine Leishmaniasis in a Central Region of Colombia.

INTRODUCTION

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease which is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus . Canids are the most important reservoir of the parasites; however, limited data are available on the species of prevalent in these animals and their impact on human health. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of leishmaniasis in dogs from an inter-Andean region of Colombia during July 2016-July 2017, and to describe the clinical and histopathological features of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 155 dogs were subjected to clinical examination and a serological test for detection of antibodies against . Necropsy was carried out on positive animals and tissue samples were processed by routine histopathology.

RESULTS

Altogether 19 dogs were positive in the serological test, establishing a 12% seroprevalence of . Clinical examination and necropsy revealed exfoliative and ulcerative dermatitis with haemorrhagic borders on the ears, head, nose, and legs. Histopathology revealed severe multifocal dermatitis with abundant amastigotes within the cytoplasm of phagocytic cells, depletion of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues, interstitial pneumonia, and interstitial nephritis. Tissue samples were positive for by PCR.

CONCLUSION

The macro- and microscopic changes correlated with the presence of as established by serological test and PCR.