Renal lesions in Leptospira canicola infection in dogs

Abstract

ACCORDING to serological surveys the incidence of Leptospira canicoh infection in dogs in different European countries has been computed t o vary between 3.6 per cent. in Rome and 44 per cent. in Belgium (Raven, 1941). A considerable proportion of dogs in this country is probably infected though most of the evidence is based on the somewhat selected dog population of veterinary clinics. Nevertheless, Stuart (1946), in Glasgow, found that 40 per cent. of 100 unselected domestic dogs gave serological proof of previous L. canicola infection, and Broom and MacIntyre (1948) found 26 per cent. positive among dogs from different parts of England. The lesions caused by L. canicola in dogs are predominantly nephritic and it is the purpose of this paper t o give an account of these renal lesions and to discuss their significance in relation to general as well as to veterinary pathology.The earlier literature of this subject is somewhat obscured by terminology, but it is generally accepted that the terms '' dog typhus " and '' Stuttgart disease " are synonymous. " Stuttgart disease " was the title applied originally by Klett (1899, cited by Jenny and Kanter, 1946) of Stuttgaxt to the triad apathy, stomatitis and gastro-enteritis in dogs, a syndrome now attributed to the uraemic and toxsemic effects of L. cankola infection. At the beginning of this century, veterinarians in Europe were familiar with the pathology of the renal lesions of this condition which they regarded as acute interstitial nephritis of lymphocytic and plasma-cell type (Hyhlik, 1924). Lukeli and Derbek (1923, cited by Hyhlik) made a major contribution to the pathology of canine leptospirosis by the demonstration of spirochsetes in the renal tubules of 9 dogs which died during the 1922-23 epidemic of Stuttgart diseaae in Vienna. Kriv&Fek (1924), Wirth (1924) and Klarenbeek (1925) published confirmatory papers, and LukG (1925) reported spirochsetes in the kidneys of 97 of 105 fatal cases. He described also the cellular exudative process as a mononuclear infiltration resembling the acute interstitial nephritis of scarlatina.Henschen ( 1924) regarded interstitial lymphocytic nephritis 88 the most frequent and important inilammatory pondition of the canine kidney. He recognised subacute and chronic stages and described them in some detail, and though he did not know the organismal came, he postulated that this condition wm probably the precursor of the ' I Schrumpfnieren " so commonly seen in older dogs. Luke& Jelinek and Schramek (1925) also discussed the J. PATH. BAUl'.-VOL. LXm

Leptospira Interrogans Induces Fibrosis in the Mouse Kidney through Inos-Dependent, TLR- and NLR-Independent Signaling Pathways

“…Naturally susceptible C3H/HeJ mice develop acute renal nephritis after experimental infection with Leptospira , but, to our knowledge, chronic carriage of Leptospira for several months in mice has not been described [24]. Despite a few previous studies mentioning renal fibrosis in dogs [2] and rats [23] infected with Leptospira , the putative mechanisms leading to renal fibrosis induced by chronic carriage of Leptospira have not been investigated. In the present study, we characterized a mild, but sustained, renal interstitial fibrosis occurring upon experimental infection of C57BL/6J mice with L. interrogans .…”

“…Fibrosis results in structural and functional renal alterations characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in scarring tissues, which may lead to organ dysfunction [1]. From human and canine biopsy studies, leptospirosis has been shown to be associated with chronic interstitial nephritis and fibrosis [2]. Recently, it was reported that leptospirosis led to irreversible tubule-interstitial fibrosis in a young male, requiring continuous hemodialysis [3].…”

An Improved Immunohistochemical Diagnostic Technique for Canine Leptospirosis using Antileptospiral Antibodies on Renal Tissue

“…3,7,18,27,28 Lymphoplasmacytic lesions in dogs are strikingly similar to renal lesions of leptospirosis in humans. 27 These infiltrates are thought to function in local production of antileptospiral antibody and phagocytosis.…”

Spontaneous Renal Disease in Dogs

“…Leptospirosis was a significant cause of ATIN before the widespread use of antileptospiral bacterins. Mchtyre (19) and Timoney et a1 (38) estimated, by the use of antibody titers, that 20% to 40% of the dogs in the British Isles had been exposed to leptospires. This incidence has decreased dramatically with the use of vaccination.…”