Leishmaniose canina: relato de caso

Abstract

Canine Leishmaniasis (LC) is a chronic, zoonotic and multisystemic disease. Its cosmopolitan distribution allows the protozoan Leishmania sp. reaches several species of animals, being the dog the main reservoir in the urban environment. Its occurrence is present in about fifty countries in the world, most prominently in South America. In Brazil, the disease is endemic, where the highest incidence is in the northeast region with 65% of cases, followed by southeast region with 14%, north and midwest with 14% and 7%, respectively. The disease has two clinical forms, Visceral and Tegumentary, both presenting varied clinical signs, such as weight loss, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, anemia, glomerulonephritis, onychogryphosis and may eventually die. The transmission of Leishmania sp. occurs through the bite of female sand flies, belonging to several species within the genus Lutzomyia sp. The diagnosis of LC can be made by parasitological, molecular or serological methods. In this regard, the Ministry of Health recommends the use of immunochromatographic and immunoenzymatic (ELISA) tests, as screening and confirmatory, respectively. A technical note issued by MAPA authorizes the use of Miltefosine in the treatment of the disease, being the only drug currently in the Brazilian market that has authorization for this purpose. In this sense, the objective of this study was to describe the relevant characteristics of the disease through a case report, presenting the diagnostic, therapeutic approach and clinical evolution through laboratory tests. The report was of an adult crossbred dog with a persistent anemic condition followed by thrombocytopenia. The biochemical profile showed several alterations, with progressive loss of renal function. The treatment was through ketoconazole, metronidazole, allopurinol and miltefosine, and during the clinical course, the animal died. In this context, despite the existence of the treatment, the animals do not acquire the cure, since they remain with the protozoan in their organism, but in smaller quantity. In view of this, prevention assumes a valuable role, proposing control measures to minimize the distribution of the vector and protozoan, while at the same time making the population aware of the importance of such a disease, both for animals and humans.