Avaliação da carga parasitária em cães com infecção natural Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi submetidos a tratamento experimental

Abstract

The Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis is a disease whose etiological agent in Brazil is the species of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi, endemic in several regions, transmitted by insect-vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. The domestic dog is considered the most important parasite reservoir. This study aimed to evaluate the parasite load in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi submitted to experimental treatment. For this purpose we used 18 asymptomatic dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi of both sexes, various ages submitted to treatment protocol with allopurinol 10 mg / kg 12h hours, domperidone 1 mg / kg every 24 hours during twelve months, associated with inactivated vaccine, three doses at 21 days interval by the subcutaneous route at a dilution of lyophilized to two parts of a diluent. The animals were submitted to clinical evaluation, blood tests, biochemical, immunohistochemistry of skin and monitoring through the Polymerase Chain Reaction in moments zero (M0), six months (M6) and twelve months (12M). Were observed significant remission of clinical signs in 100% (18/18) of the dogs in the post-treatment times, as well as standardization and improvement of haematological and biochemical parameters. In immunohistochemistry the skin, there was a significant reduction and elimination of parasites in the skin between times. PCR detected DNA of the parasite in skin samples and bone marrow after twelve months of treatment, with significant reduction between the pre- and post-treatment. The results of this study conclude that the treatment with allopurinol and domperidone associated with inactivated vaccine, to promote remission of clinical signs and reduction of parasite burden in animals with visceral leishmaniasis.