Evaluation of the serum biochemistry and histopathology of kidney and bladder of dogs with Leishmania sp. in their urine

Joilson Ferreira Batista,Barbara Laurice Araújo Verçosa,Maria Das Graças Prianti,Fernanda Samara Barbosa Rocha,Rayssa Maria De Araújo Carvalho,Michel Muálem De Moraes Alves,Ivete Lopes De Mendonça,Bárbara Cristina Silva Holanda Queiroz,Carlos Henrique Nery Costa

doi:10.14393/bj-v36n3a2020-42464

Joilson Ferreira Batista, Barbara Laurice Araújo Verçosa + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.14393/bj-v36n3a2020-42464

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Abstract

The visceral establishment of Leishmania infantum in dogs may result in kidney and bladder tissue injury, with L. infantum ending up in urine. This study therefore aimed at investigating the presence of Leishmania sp. in urinary sediments, and correlating the results with those from renal and bladder serum biochemistry and histopathology. Thirty dogs with negative Nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for E. canis were used in the experiment, and were divided into three groups: control group (10 dogs), neither leishmaniasis nor clinical changes; group I (15 dogs), leishmaniasis but no Leishmania sp. in urine; and group II (5 dogs), leishmaniasis, as well as Leishmania sp. in urine. All animals were submitted to clinical, serological, and parasitological diagnosis for leishmaniasis, biochemical exams, and kidney and bladder histopathology. The parasite was also detected in the bladder imprint of one group II dog. Group II dogs presented with very low albumin concentrations, low albumin/globulin ratios, and kidney and bladder lesions. In the kidneys, hydropic degeneration, thickened Bowman's capsule, and thickening of the tubular capsule were detected in all dogs with positive urinary sediment. However, no significant difference in these renal changes was observed between groups. The intensity and distribution of bladder inflammatory infiltrates were significantly (p-value < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis’ and Dunn’s tests) higher in group II dogs, compared with those of the other groups. The presence of Leishmania sp. in the urine of infected dogs appeared to be related to low serum albumin concentrations and more severe bladder lesions.

Highlights

Depending on the immune status of each dog, natural infection with Leishmania infantum can result in three levels of clinical responses: asymptomatic, mildly symptomatic, and polisymptomatic (GIUNCHETTI et al, 2006; QUEIROZ et al, 2010; MENDONÇA et al, 2015a)
This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Leishmania sp. in urinary sediments, and correlating the results with the biochemical parameters and kidney and bladder histopathological injuries in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania sp., in order to identify possible changes favoring parasite occurrence in urinary sediment
Sample Size Thirty domestic dogs of different breeds and ages, with negative Nested-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for E. canis, were used. They were divided into three groups: the control group, which consisted of 10 dogs without physical abnormalities suggestive of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), whose serological and parasitological tests were negative for leishmaniasis; group I, which consisted of 15 animals with Leishmania sp. in the bone marrow, popliteal lymph nodes, and/or skin, but not the urinary sediment; and group II, which consisted of 5 animals with Leishmania sp. in the bone marrow, popliteal lymph nodes, and/or skin, as well as the urinary sediment

Summary

Introduction

Depending on the immune status of each dog, natural infection with Leishmania infantum can result in three levels of clinical responses: asymptomatic, mildly symptomatic, and polisymptomatic (GIUNCHETTI et al, 2006; QUEIROZ et al, 2010; MENDONÇA et al, 2015a). This diversity of clinical symptoms represents a serious challenge during the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), as does the difficulty in obtaining a both highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test, mainly in endemic areas, where serological tests present substandard performance in diagnosing infected and reservoir dogs (CASTRO et al, 2012; SANTOS et al, 2014; MENDONÇA, et al, 2017a; MENDONÇA et al, 2017b). When assessing the serum biochemistry of CVL dogs, it is common to detect hypoalbuminemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, inversion in the albumin/globulin ratio, increased urea and creatinine concentrations, and increased liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase).

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