Clinical, parasitologic, and immunologic evolution in dogs experimentally infected with sand fly-derived Leishmania chagasi promastigotes.

Experimental infection of dogs with Leishmania infantum has yielded heterogeneous clinical, parasitologic, and immunologic results. We studied dogs infected with 10(5) or 10(4) sand fly-derived promastigotes delivered by the intradermal (ID) or intravenous (IV) routes. Total mortality over 1 year post-infection reached 23.8%. The mortality and proportion of sustained polysymptomatic dogs was highest in the IV-10(5) group. The early appearance of polysymptoms was associated with an increased risk of progression to death. Dissemination of the parasite to lymph nodes was faster, and the subsequent infectivity to sand flies higher, in the IV compared with ID-infected dogs. Parasite-specific IgG1 or IgG2 production was similar among the groups, but higher interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression was associated with polysymptomatic dogs. On the basis of the data obtained from this study, a sample size analysis using different endpoints for future vaccine trials is described.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in two Colombian dogs: a note on infectivity for sand flies and response to treatment / Infección por Leishmania ( Viannia) braziliensis en dos perros colombianos: una nota sobre infectividad para flebótomos y respuesta al tratamiento

Introducción. A pesar de que la leishmaniasis cutánea canina ha sido reportada en varios focos de Sudamérica, no existe información publicada de Colombia. Objetivo. Se reportan dos casos hallados en la región de la costa Pacífica de este país, que se presentaron como una úlcera escrotal única en un perro y como dos úlceras en la cara externa de la oreja en un segundo individuo. Materiales y métodos. Los parásitos fueron aislados por cultivo en medio de Senekjie e identificados empleando anticuerpos monoclonales. La capacidad de los perros para transmitir parásitos a los flebótomos vectores ( Lutzomyia trapidoi, Lutzomyia gomezi, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia youngi) se ensayó permitiendo que los insectos se alimentaran sobre el borde de las lesiones. Resultados. Ambos aislamientos se identificaron como Leishmania ( Viannia) braziliensis. No se detectaron infecciones durante la disección de los flebótomos alimentados. Una sola inyección peri- y sub-lesional de 1-2 ml de antimonio pentavalente en el perro con las lesiones auriculares resultó en la curación clínica a las 6 semanas post-tratamiento. Conclusiones. Estas observaciones sugieren que aunque los perros son susceptibles a L. braziliensis, su competencia como reservorio podría ser baja. Sin embargo, si estudios posteriores demuestran que los caninos tienen capacidad de reservorio para especies de L. Viannia, el tratamiento local de las lesiones podría ser una estrategia factible para disminuir el riesgo de infección humana en el peridomicilio, sin necesidad de sacrificar a los perros infectados.

Introduction. Although canine cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported in several foci of South America, no published information from Colombia is available. Objective. We report on two cases found in the Pacific coast region of this country, which presented as a single scrotal ulcer in one dog, and two ulcers on the external surface of the ear in a second dog. Materials and methods. Parasites were isolated by culture in Senekjie’s culture medium and identified using monoclonal antibodies. The capacity of these dogs to transmit the parasites to sand fly vectors (Lutzomyia trapidoi, Lutzomyia gomezi, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia youngi) was tested by allowing the flies to feed on the lesion borders. Results. Both isolates were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. No infections were detected upon dissection of engorged flies. A single peri-and sub-lesional injection of 1-2 ml of pentavalent antimony in the dog with ear lesions resulted in clinical cure 6 weeks post-treatment. Conclusions. These observations suggest that although dogs are susceptible to L. braziliensis, their reservoir competence could be low. However, if further studies indicate that canines are capable reservoir hosts of L. Viannia spp., the local treatment of lesions could become a feasible approach to diminish the risk of human infection in the peridomestic setting, without sacrificing infected dogs.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis infection in two Colombian dogs: a note on infectivity for sand flies and response to treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Although canine cutaneous leishmaniasis has been reported in several foci of South America, no published information from Colombia is available. OBJECTIVE: We report on two cases found in the Pacific coast region of this country, which presented as a single scrotal ulcer in one dog, and two ulcers on the external surface of the ear in a second dog. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parasites were isolated by culture in Senekjie's culture medium and identified using monoclonal antibodies. The capacity of these dogs to transmit the parasites to sand fly vectors (Lutzomyia trapidoi, Lutzomyia gomezi, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia youngi) was tested by allowing the flies to feed on the lesion borders. RESULTS: Both isolates were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. No infections were detected upon dissection of engorged flies. A single peri-and sub-lesional injection of 1-2 ml of pentavalent antimony in the dog with ear lesions resulted in clinical cure 6 weeks post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that although dogs are susceptible to L. braziliensis, their reservoir competence could be low. However, if further studies indicate that canines are capable reservoir hosts of L. Viannia spp., the local treatment of lesions could become a feasible approach to diminish the risk of human infection in the peridomestic setting, without sacrificing infected dogs.