Diagnóstico De Leishmaniose Visceral Canina Através De Citologia E Histopatologia Da Conjuntiva Ocular

Abstract

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (LCV) is a chronic disease that affects domestic and wild mammals such as marsupials, canids and xenarthras. The objective of this report was to describe the use of conjunctival cytology using the interdental brush collection method and histopathology in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis in a canine, Pug, six years old, who presented only ocular signs. Upon ophthalmic examination, the patient showed decreased tear production bilaterally with TLS values of 8 and 9 mm/min in the right and left eyes respectively, being diagnosed with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (CCS). During the evaluation of the ocular surface, it was possible to observe conjunctival hyperemia and the presence of several nodules in the conjunctiva measuring approximately 0.3 cm, characterizing a condition of conjunctivitis that is common to occur in cases of leishmaniasis. Cytology revealed a high cellularity sample composed predominantly of intact neutrophils and macrophages in phagocytic activity (Leishmania sp. amastigotes). Frequent plasma cells, occasional small well-differentiated lymphocytes, amastigote forms of Leishmania sp. free and numerous erythrocytes. Concluding that the findings were compatible with active chronic inflammation associated with Leishmania sp. During histopathological examination, amastigote forms of Leishmania were also identified. The importance of using other techniques such as cytology and conjunctival histopathology to diagnose the disease is highlighted here. Interdental brush cytology and conjunctival histopathology were effective in detecting amastigote forms of Leishmania sp. in conjunctival tissue.