The main source of Leishmania infantum infection in humans is a naturally infected dog. This study reports on the infectivity to phlebotomine sandflies (Lutzomyia longipalpis) of serologically positive mongrel dogs that differed in clinical status, haematology and humoral responses to immunoglobulin (Ig) G(T) (total anti-Leishmania IgG), IgG(1) and IgG(2) subclasses of antibody to crude antigen of L. infantum. Forty-five female L. longipalpis were allowed to feed directly on the ears of dogs classified as asymptomatic, oligosymptomatic or symptomatic before being dissected five days later. Promastigotes were detected in 88% of the dissected sandflies. The highest rate of infectivity to sandflies was found in symptomatic dogs, followed by oligosymptomatic and asymptomatic animals. The results suggest that dogs naturally infected with L. infantum with higher total IgG and IgG(2) concentrations and lower haematocrit levels were able to infect the highest proportion of L. longipalpis. No correlation was observed between anaemia and the intensity of clinical signs. Symptomatic dogs presented the highest infection rate and intensity of infection.

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ResumoA Dermatite Atópica Canina é uma dermatopatia de origem genética. Os cães acometidos tornam-se sensíveis aos antígenos presentes no meio ambiente, desenvolvendo grave reação alérgica, pruriginosa, que interferem na qualidade de vida do paciente. Devido ao seu caráter genético, esta é uma doença que na maioria das vezes não tem cura, apenas controle. O tratamento em geral é vitalício. Assim sendo, algumas drogas utilizadas, a exemplo dos corticosteróides, podem causar efeitos colaterais que em longo prazo, são capazes de diminuir o período de vida do animal. Desta maneira, o proprietário do cão portador de atopia, precisa ser esclarecido em relação às complicações e provável recidiva dos sinais clínicos, durante o período de tratamento. Portanto, presente artigo tem como objetivo uma revisão sobre Dermatite Atópica Canina, que está se tornando um problema crescente na clínica de pequenos animais. Palavras-chave: Atopia, prurido, cão AbstractCanine Atopic Dermatitis is a skin disease of genetic origin. The affected dog becomes sensible to antigens presents in the environment, developing a severe alergic, pruriginous reaction, which intervenes in the quality of life of the patient. Because of the genetic character, that is an illness that in most of the times has no cure, just control. The treatment in general is lifetime. Thus, some used drugs, for example the corticosteroides, might cause collateral effects when used for a long time, and might decrease the lifetime of the animals. By this way, the owner of the dog with atopia, must know about the complications of the disease, and occasional return of the clinical signs during the period of treatment. Therefore, this article has an objective of a review about Canine Atopic Dermatitis that is an increasing problem in the small animal practice.

Dogs represent the major reservoir of Leishmaniao chagasi and vaccination against the canine disease is a potential control strategy. However, seroconversion occurs post-vaccine and hence, there is need to discriminate between the former group and naturally infected dogs. The present study represents a comparison of the humoral immunological profiles of both groups using Leishmania soluble antigen (LSA) and fucose-mannose ligand (FML). For both categories, ear skin samples were evaluated immunohistochemically and through PCR, that was also performed in blood specimens, as well as their ability to infect Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis. All these tests showed negative results for the vaccinated dogs. Differences between groups were observed regarding IgG, IgG2 and IgE absorbances as determined by FML-ELISA, and for IgG1 and IgE absorbances as measured by LSA-ELISA, showing that Leishmune-immunised animals and VL naturally infected dogs present different immunological profiles, even though these differences cannot be used to distinguish between these two groups of dogs.

Background Limited information is available describing the features of canine atopic‐like dermatitis (ALD) compared with atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives To compare demographic data, disease severity and response to therapy between ALD and AD dogs. Animals Two hundred and fifty‐three atopic dogs with intradermal and serum allergen‐specific IgE test results were selected retrospectively. Methods and materials Dogs were enrolled into the ALD group if both IgE tests were negative and into the AD group if at least one test was positive. Demographic data, pruritus level and number of body sites affected before and during therapy, in addition to maintenance therapy protocols, were compared between groups. Results There were 216 (85.38%) dogs in the AD group and 37 (14.62%) in the ALD group. The soft‐coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over‐represented in the AD group. No significant differences between the groups were noted regarding the other demographic variables evaluated. There were no differences in the mean pruritus scores and number of affected body sites at the first visit or during treatment. Furthermore, no significant differences between the groups were noted for the maintenance treatment scores and reduction of pruritus level and number of body sites affected during treatment. Conclusions and clinical significance The soft‐coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over‐represented in the AD group. No significant differences in the other demographic data and clinical features were noted between dogs with ALD and AD in the present study.