Mariana de Medeiros Torres

Molecular detection of Hepatozoon canis and Babesia canis vogeli in domestic dogs from Cuiabá, Brazil

The objective of this study was to report for the first time infection by Hepatozoon spp. and Babesia spp. in 10 dogs from the city of Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso, central-western Brazil. A pair of primers that amplifies a 574 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA of Hepatozoon spp., and a pair of primers that amplifies a 551 bp fragment of the gene 18S rRNA for Babesia spp. were used. Six dogs were positive for Babesia spp., and 9 were positive for Hepatozoon spp. Co‑infection of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. was seen in 5 dogs. Sequenced samples revealed 100% identity with B. canis vogeli, and H. canis. This is the first molecular detection of H. canis in domestic dogs from Cuiabá. Additionally, it is described for the first time the presence of B. canis vogeli circulating among dogs in Cuiabá.

Retrospectiva das dermatofitoses em cães e gatos atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, nos anos de 2006 a 2008

The aim of this study was to characterize the canine and feline population with dermatophytosis, taken to the Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso - HOVET/UFMT, during a period of 36 months. This skin disease that affects domestic animals is a fungal infection involving the superficial layers of the skin, hair and nails. 279 cases of dermatophytosis were treated, 96.8% in dogs and 3.2% in cats, with a total of 7.1% of the number of 3096 cases assisted in these three years. The predominant etiologic agent was Microsporum canis. The pure breddogs were most affected, especially the American Pit Bull Terrier (21.7%). The cats with and without racial definition were dermatophytosis, cannot be a reliable statistical analysis. It was observed that the majority of animals infected were 1-3 years old. The lesions observed were: alopecia, dandruff and crusts and were located in the cephalic region, trunk, and limbs. There was no seasonal distribution was observed.

Associação da carga parasitária renal com achados laboratoriais em cães com leishmaniose visceral

Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a severe disease and the death occurs from renal failure, whereas conventional diagnostic methods do not allow the animal clinical staging. The aim of this study was to associate the renal parasite load to clinical and histopathological findings in dogs with visceral Leishmaniasis. Microscopic analysis revealed a predominance of mononuclear interstitial nephritis of varying degrees in 59, 3% of dogs evaluated. However, no difference was found between the renal parasite load of symptomatics and oligosymptomatics (P= 0,35). Renal lesions were inflammatory order and amount of parasites not influenced the characteristics of theses lesions nor biochemical changes, even in dogs with different clinical classifications.

Hemostatic assessment of dogs associated with hepatic parasite load of Leishmania infantum chagasi

Leishmania infantum chagasi liver parasite load was compared to hemostatic abnormalities, as well as to clinical, laboratorial, and histopathological findings in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. The liver parasite load of 30 dogs L. infantum chagasi naturally-infected was evaluated by quantitative real- time PCR and the results were compared with serum biochemistry and primary and secondary hemostasis findings. Moreover, hepatic histological lesions were described in these dogs. Prolonged bleeding time, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), were observed in the group with visceral leishmaniasis. Eleven dogs presented inflammatory liver lesions, with predominance of mild multifocal mononuclear periportal hepatitis. No association between the presence of parasites and abnormalities in screening tests was observed by Spearmans rank correlation coefficient. The clinical progression in leishmaniasis is associated with the occurrence of hemorrhagic diathesis, which depends not only on the presence of the parasite but also the inflammatory process, compromised immunological response, hepatic and renal failure in symptomatic dogs.Leishmania infantum chagasi liver parasite load was compared to hemostatic abnormalities, as well as to clinical, laboratorial, and histopathological findings in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. The liver parasite load of 30 dogs L. infantum chagasi naturally-infected was evaluated by quantitative real- time PCR and the results were compared with serum biochemistry and primary and secondary hemostasis findings. Moreover, hepatic histological lesions were described in these dogs. Prolonged bleeding time, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), were observed in the group with visceral leishmaniasis. Eleven dogs presented inflammatory liver lesions, with predominance of mild multifocal mononuclear periportal hepatitis. No association between the presence of parasites and abnormalities in screening tests was observed by Spearmans rank correlation coefficient. The clinical progression in leishmaniasis is associated with the occurrence of hemorrhagic diathesis, which depends not only on the presence of the parasite but also the inflammatory process, compromised immunological response, hepatic and renal failure in symptomatic dogs.

Nephrin gene expression in chronic kidney disease of dogs with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi

Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi is the most severe form of the disease. In Brazil, this disease is transmitted through the bite of sand flies of the genus Lutzomyia.1 The clinical signs of the disease in canines, which are similar to those in humans, depend on the individual’s humoral and cellular response, and kidney disease is the main cause of death.2 In visceral leishmaniasis nephropathies caused by glomerular diseases are a common cause of chronic renal failure.2–4 Glomerular podocyte injury causes proteinuria and results in tubular and interstitial injury.5 Thus, the aim of the study was to quantify nephrin gene expression in dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with visceral leishmaniasis. Sixty-nine dogs with CKD were diagnosed based on their history, the presence of azotemia and isosthenuria, and were grouped according to classification proposed by the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS). Urine, blood and bone marrow samples were collected by jugular venipuncture, cystocentesis and/or urethral catheter, and sternal puncture, respectively. This study was approved by and conducted according to the guidelines of the Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (Protocol # 23108.043331/129). The DNA extracted from blood and bone marrow was subjected to PCR detection of L. (L.) infantum chagasi. Cell pellets were obtained by centrifuging 10 mL of urine for RNA extraction, followed by RT-qPCR to quantify nephrin gene expression. Supernatant from centrifuged urine was used for biochemical determination of proteinuria. Nephrin was quantified in the urinary sediment of 47 dogs and L. (L.) infantum chagasi was detected in the bone marrow and/or blood of 11 dogs. The relative quantitation of nephrin was lower in dogs in advanced stages of renal disease than in the initial stages, and those positive for L. L. infantum chagasi showed no correlation with the presence of the parasite (r = −0.35). The quantitation of nephrin expression according to the stage of CKD and its association with L. L. infantum chagasi have not been reported previously. Kidney disease is an important condition in the clinical assessment of small animals, in view of the high prevalence and severity of its subsequent clinical manifestations. Moreover, owing to the zoonotic potential of visceral leishmaniasis associated with the presence of asymptomaticity in dogs, the early detection of kidney disease enables the evolution of the disease to be monitored. Visceral leishmaniasis impairs the immune system and interferes with the inflammatory response, resulting in several changes that culminate in death from renal failure. Knowing that canine cases precede the occurrence of the disease in humans, it is important to identify the changes that may occur in both species. Therefore, dogs also serve as a study model of this disease, assisting in the establishment of a more accurate prognosis for humans, and is a control measure that requires fast and accurate diagnostic tools. Hence, the quantitation of nephrin gene expression in urinary sediment is a practical and non-invasive tool for monitoring the development of kidney disease.