Histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses of foetuses from a female dog naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum - Case report.

This report presents anatomo-histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses of an asymptomatic female dog naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and her four pups. In addition to routine serological tests, the mother's positivity was confirmed by real-time PCR of a bone marrow sample; the placenta and ovaries, however, were negative with the same analysis. The pups presented no positivity in any of the techniques used. It is suggested that the gestational period and factors related to the female's immunological condition cause greater variability in the occurrence of vertical infection.