Presence of Leishmania amastigotes in peritoneal fluid of a dog with leishmaniasis from Alagoas, Northeast Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARYThe goal of this short communication is to report the uncommon presence of intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania in peritoneal fluid of a dog with leishmaniasis from Alagoas State, Brazil. Physical examination of an adult male rottweiler suspected to be suffering of leishmaniasis revealed severe loss of weight, ascitis, splenomegaly, moderately enlarged lymph nodes, onychogryphosis, generalized alopecia, skin ulcers on the posterior limbs, and conjunctivitis. Samples of bone marrow, popliteal lymph node, skin ulcer, and peritoneal fluid were collected and smears of each sample were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Numerous amastigotes were detected in bone marrow, popliteal lymph node, and skin ulcer smears. Smears of peritoneal fluid revealed the unusual presence of several free and intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania. Future studies are needed to determine whether the cytology of ascitic fluid represents a useful tool for diagnosis Leishmania infection in ascitic dogs, particularly in those living in areas where canine leishmaniasis is enzootic.

Antibodies to Leishmania infantum in peritoneal effusion from a dog with atypical signs of leishmaniosis: treatment and follow‐up

“…The presence of Leishmania amastigotes can be observed in peritoneal fluid with sick dogs 20 26. In the authors’ research, the cytological examination of the abdominal fluid did not reveal the presence of the parasites, showing a negative result and leading to the need for other confirmation tests with higher sensitivity, such as molecular techniques.…”

Accidental and late parasitological diagnosis of Leishmania sp. in a dog from a low disease transmission area of Brazil: A case report

“…The presence of amastigote forms in the ascitic liquid of the abdominal cavity was important since it provided evidence to request specific serological exams and to define the diagnosis. This finding is rare, and its real epidemiological role is unknown (Dantas-Torres 2006). The same finding was described in HIV immunodeficient humans (Vicandi et al 2000) and the use of an immunosuppressant drug could explain this clinical finding, which was essential to provide an outcome.…”

What is your diagnosis? Peritoneal effusion from a dog

“…In this case, Leishmania amastigotes were unexpectedly observed in peritoneal fluid smears from a dog. Peritoneal effusion is an unusual clinical finding in canine leishmaniasis; 5 cases are reported in the literature, but Leishmania organisms were detected in the fluid of only 2 cases 1,4–6 . Based on reports in the literature and the authors' experience, amastigotes may be observed in almost any body tissue or fluid, but they are considered extremely rare in body cavity effusions, urine, synovial fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid in both humans and dogs 7–12 .…”