Abstract Introduction Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease which is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Canids are the most important reservoir of the parasites; however, limited data are available on the species of Leishmania 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 Leishmania. 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 Leishmania. 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 Leishmania amastigotes within the cytoplasm of phagocytic cells, depletion of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues, interstitial pneumonia, and interstitial nephritis. Tissue samples were positive for Leishmania by PCR. Conclusion The macro- and microscopic changes correlated with the presence of Leishmania as established by serological test and PCR.

中文翻译：

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哥伦比亚中部地区犬利什曼病的血清阳性率、临床和病理特征

摘要 简介 利什曼病是一种由利什曼原虫属的原生动物寄生虫引起的人畜共患疾病。犬科动物是寄生虫最重要的宿主；然而，关于这些动物中普遍存在的利什曼原虫种类及其对人类健康的影响的数据有限。本研究的目的是估计 2016 年 7 月至 2017 年 7 月期间来自哥伦比亚安第斯山脉地区的狗的利什曼病血清流行率，并描述该疾病的临床和组织病理学特征。材料和方法 总共对 155 只狗进行了临床检查和血清学检测，以检测针对利什曼原虫的抗体。对阳性动物进行尸检，并通过常规组织病理学处理组织样品。结果 19只犬血清学检测呈阳性，建立 12% 的利什曼原虫血清阳性率。临床检查和尸检显示剥脱性和溃疡性皮炎，耳朵、头部、鼻子和腿部有出血边缘。组织病理学显示重度多灶性皮炎，吞噬细胞细胞质内有大量利什曼原虫无鞭毛体，淋巴组织中淋巴细胞减少，间质性肺炎和间质性肾炎。组织样本通过 PCR 对利什曼原虫呈阳性。结论通过血清学检测和PCR确定，宏观和微观变化与利什曼原虫的存在相关。组织病理学显示重度多灶性皮炎，吞噬细胞细胞质内有大量利什曼原虫无鞭毛体，淋巴组织中淋巴细胞减少，间质性肺炎和间质性肾炎。组织样本通过 PCR 对利什曼原虫呈阳性。结论通过血清学检测和PCR确定，宏观和微观变化与利什曼原虫的存在相关。组织病理学显示重度多灶性皮炎，吞噬细胞细胞质内有大量利什曼原虫无鞭毛体，淋巴组织中淋巴细胞减少，间质性肺炎和间质性肾炎。组织样本通过 PCR 对利什曼原虫呈阳性。结论通过血清学检测和PCR确定，宏观和微观变化与利什曼原虫的存在相关。