Skin lesions in canine leishmaniasis

Abstract

Forty‐three dogs affected by canine leishmaniasis (CL) with skin lesions have been studied clinically and histopathologically. Identification of leishmaniads in tissues was achieved using indirect immunoperoxidase staining. According to both macroscopic and microscopic lesions, four different dermatological patterns have been observed. Twenty‐six dogs showed alopecia and desquamation as the main skin lesions. Histologically a diffuse non‐suppurative dermatitis, with numerous leishmaniads inside macrophages was present. Ten animals showed skin ulcerations on limbs, especially over articulations. Histologically, the number of leishmaniads was very reduced. Five animals presented a generalised nodular disease. Each nodule corresponded with a focal accumulation of macrophages, multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes, with a high number of parasites. Finally, two dogs presented generalised skin pustules. The possible pathogenesis and the differential diagnosis of each form is discussed.

Hepatic granulomas in canine visceral leishmaniasis and clinical status

“…As also observed in the Old World (Ciaramella et al, 1997), symptomatic cases of CVL due to L. chagasi, in America, presents clinically with anemia, emaciation, splenomegaly, local or generalized lymphadenopathy, cutaneous lesions, ocular lesions (Brito et al, 2006) weight loss, and cachexia. In the present study, dermatological entities previously described by Ferrer (1988), Ciaramella et al (1997) and Lima et al (2004) were observed. Dry desquamation associated with alopecia usually starting on the head (mainly ears and eyes-orbital) and extending to the rest of the body was observed (Ferrer 1988;Ciaramella et al, 1997).…”

“…In the present study, dermatological entities previously described by Ferrer (1988), Ciaramella et al (1997) and Lima et al (2004) were observed. Dry desquamation associated with alopecia usually starting on the head (mainly ears and eyes-orbital) and extending to the rest of the body was observed (Ferrer 1988;Ciaramella et al, 1997). In the L. infantum infection, Rallis et al (2005) also noted nasodigital hyperkeratosis and bacterial, superficial or deep pyoderma.…”

Amastigota forms resembling Leishmania sp. on corneal ulceration in a dog: case report

“…These cells have an important role at the ocular surface immunity (Gillette et al, 1982). Because macrophages, dendritic cells and Langerhans cells are the main APCs over Leishmaniasis (Ferrer et al, 1988), it is easy to understand the involvement of the immunogenic mechanisms on the ocular surface in events of CVL.…”

Padrões histopatológicos das lesões descamativas e ulcerativas da pele em cães com leishmaniose

“…FERRER et al (1988) propuseram quatro padrões dermatológicos para a leishmaniose visceral canina (LV): padrão alopécico-descamativo, ulcerativo, nodular e pustular estéril. Outros sinais cutâneos freqüentemente encontrados são hiperqueratose nasodigital e onicogrifose (KOUTINAS et al, 1993).…”