Histopathological evaluation and parasite quantification (qPCR) in the male dog's genital system after natural infection with Leishmania infantum

Oliveira, Vinícius Vasconcelos Gomes de; Macedo, Simone Regina Barros de; Araújo, Flábio R.; Ramos, Carlos Alberto do Nascimento; Ramos, Rafael Antonio Nascimento; Maia, Frederico Celso Lyra; Alves, Lêucio Câmara; Silva, Valdemiro Amaro da

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20150850

Cited by 5 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…infantum -positive specimens in the testis (89.5%) and epididymis (84.2%) of dogs. These authors [ 13 ] observed a lower frequency of positive results in the prostate (78.9%), but higher than that found in the present study. In bitches, studies found a higher frequency of positive results in the uterus (80%), followed by the vagina (70%) and vulva (60%) [ 14 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 81%

“…The prostate exhibited a much lower frequency of positive specimens, with the difference ranging from 18% to 32% compared to the other organs. Other authors [ 13 ] also reported similar frequencies of L . infantum -positive specimens in the testis (89.5%) and epididymis (84.2%) of dogs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

“…Previous studies involving dogs with parasitological confirmation of L . infantum have also reported a high frequency of positive results in the genital tract of males (94.7%) and females (90.0%) by IHC and qPCR [ 13 , 14 ]. In another study involving dogs with parasitological confirmation that originated from the same area as the animals of the present study, the frequencies of positive results in the genital tract were 90% among males and 80% among females [ 11 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the male genital tract of dogs naturally infected with L . infantum , the highest parasite load was detected in the testis and epididymis and was not correlated with inflammatory lesions in these organs [ 13 ]. In the female genital tract, the L .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, studies on the frequency of L . infantum in the genital tract of dogs that simultaneously evaluate parasite load, the presence of active infection and histological alterations associated with this parasite are scarce [ 13 , 14 ]. In addition, these studies have evaluated small populations and only males or females from different endemic areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency, active infection and load of Leishmania infantum and associated histological alterations in the genital tract of male and female dogs

et al. 2020

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Visceral leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum is a zoonosis. The domestic dog is the primary reservoir in urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, active infection and load of L . infantum in the genital tract of male and female dogs seropositive for this parasite, as well as to identify histological genital alterations associated with this protozoan. We studied 45 male and 25 female L . infantum -seropositive noncastrated dogs from the same endemic area in Brazil. Tissue samples from the testis, epididymis, prostate, vulva, vagina, and uterus were examined by singleplex qPCR and parasitological tests (histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and parasitological culture). The latter were performed for the detection of active infection (parasites able to multiply and to induce lesions). Forty-four (98%) males and 25 (100%) females were positive for L . infantum in the genital tract (epididymis: 98%; vulva: 92%; vagina: 92%; testis: 91%; uterus: 84%; prostate: 66%). Active infection in the genital tract was confirmed in 69% of males and 64% of females (32% in the uterus). Parasite loads were similar in the testis, vulva, epididymis and vagina and lower in the prostate. Only the parasite load in the vagina was significantly associated with the number of clinical signs. Granulomatous inflammation predominated in all organs, except for the prostate. Only in the testis and epididymis was the inflammatory infiltrate significantly more intense among dogs with a higher parasite load in these organs. The high frequency, detection of active infection and similarity of L . infantum loads in the genital tract of infected males and females suggest the potential of venereal transmission of this parasite by both sexes and of vertical transmission by females in the area studied. Additionally, vertical transmission may be frequent since active L . infantum infection was a common observation in the uterus.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%