Histopathological alterations in the reproductive tract of male dogs with Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Abstract

Dogs are considered the main domestic host of Leishmania infantum. The transmission between vertebrate hosts normally occurs during blood feeding of Lutzomyia sp., a genus of phlebotomine sand flies. However, other forms of transmission without a vector have been reported. Presence of amastigotes of Leishmania sp. in different organs can cause several pathologies depending on the immune status of the host and the parasite load. The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathological changes in the reproductive tract of male dogs. Samples of testes, epididymis, and prostate gland were collected from 70 animals that were grouped according to serology test results for visceral leishmaniasis and clinical symptoms. Three experimental groups were formed based on serological results and clinical presentation: asymptomatic, symptomatic and control. Prostatic changes were seen regardless of the serological results; however, the changes were more severe in symptomatic animals. In the testes and epididymis, lesions such as interstitial infiltrate, degeneration, and fibrosis were seen more frequently and were more severe in positive animals when compared to the control group. These results demonstrate that dogs infected with Leishmania sp. can develop nonspecific changes in the reproductive tract, which are more severe in symptomatic animals. ResumoOs cães são considerados os principais hospedeiros domésticos de Leishmania infantum. A transmissão entre hospedeiros vertebrados normalmente ocorre durante o repasto sanguíneo de Lutzomyia sp., gênero de flebotomíneo. Entretanto, outras formas de transmissão sem a presença do vetor têm sido relatadas. A presença de amastigotas de Leishmania sp. em diferentes órgãos pode causar diversas patologias de acordo com o status imune do hospedeiro e a carga parasitária. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações histopatológicas no trato reprodutivo de cães machos. Amostras de testículo, epidídimo e próstata foram coletadas de 70 animais, os quais foram agrupados conforme o resultado da sorologia para leishmaniose visceral e os sinais clínicos. Três grupos experimentais foram formados baseados nos resultados sorológicos e manifestações clínicas: assintomático, sintomático e controle. Alterações prostáticas foram observadas independentemente dos resultados sorológicos; entretanto, foram mais acentuadas nos animais sintomáticos. Nos testículos e epidídimos, lesões como infiltrado intersticial, degeneração e fibrose foram observadas mais frequentemente e de forma mais severa nos animais positivos quando comparados ao grupo controle. Estes resultados demonstram que cães infectados com Leishmania sp. podem desenvolver alterações não específicas no trato reprodutivo, as quais são mais severas nos animais sintomáticos. Palavras-chave: Amastigotas. Epidídimo. Leishmania sp. Próstata. Testículo.

Aspiration cytology of popliteal lymph nodes as a diagnostic method of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in areas of socioeconomic vulnerability

“…Owing to its clinical complexity, leishmaniasis is viewed as a serious public health problem and is the most important emerging disease in Latin America (Barros et al, 2019), especially in countries that have tropical and subtropical climates (Benassi et al, 2018). According to Andrade-Filho et al (2017), Brazil is a country with a high incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions the disease is endemic (Escobar et al, 2019).…”