Report a case of cutaneous and visceral canine leishmaniasis from Queretaro, Mexico

Abstract

Leishmania infantum is the causal agent of cutaneous and visceral canine leishmaniasis, a disease widely described in Europe and Latin America. This study describes a case of a canine Canary mastiff breed, born in Mexico that was referred to consult by an alopecic lesion and generalized lymph adenomegaly. Diagnosis of leishmaniasis was established by impression smears of the lesion that showed amastigotes within macrophages. Due to the poor body condition of the animal, euthanasia and necropsy were conducted and samples taken from skin, lymph nodes, liver, kidney, and spleen to perform histological and molecular analysis. In skin, spleen and kidney granulomatous lesions were observed showing amastigotes of Leishmania. The diagnosis of L. infantum was confirmed by using molecular tools. The report of this case suggests the potential risk of this disease in a non-endemic region from Mexico.