Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) Is Related with the Proteinuria Degree and the Microscopic Kidney Findings in Leishmania-Infected Dogs.

María Paz Peris,Adriana Esteban-Gil,Juan Antonio Castillo,Sonia Ares-Gómez,Mariano Morales,Pablo Gómez-Ochoa,Manuel Gascón,Sonia Ares-Gómez,Bernardino Moreno

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8121966

María Paz Peris, Adriana Esteban-Gil + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8121966

Copy DOI

Abstract

Early diagnosis of renal damage in Leishmania infected dogs may allow appropriate treatments and prevent some deaths. This study investigates neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a biomarker of kidney disease in dogs experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum. Serum, urine, and kidney samples were collected from 30 infected beagle dogs and six uninfected control dogs. Based on proteinuria and azotemia values, dogs were initially classified. NGAL was measured in urine and serum samples. Then, the urinary NGAL to creatinine ratio (uNGAL/C) was calculated. Kidney samples were taken for histopathological studies, and the dogs were classified according to the severity of glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions. In Leishmania-infected dogs, the uNGAL/C was significantly higher in proteinuric non-azotemic dogs compared with non-proteinuric non-azotemic dogs (p = 0.038). Serum NGAL (sNGAL) concentration did not differ between groups. Microscopic studies revealed several degrees of glomerulonephritis and slight focal lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis in 89% and 55% of infected dogs, respectively. Urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPC) and uNGAL/C were significantly higher in dogs with affected glomeruli compared to infected dogs without renal lesions (p = 0.045 and p = 0.043, respectively). The results show that uNGAL/C correlates with proteinuria and the presence of moderate glomerular lesions in non-azotemic dogs experimentally infected with L. infantum.

Highlights

Canine visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, which affects several organs, for example, the skin, kidneys, spleen, liver, and eyes, and is characterized by a range of associated clinical signs [1]
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) [11], C-reactive protein (CRP) [12], and ferritin [13] concentrations in urine are associated with glomerular lesions, whereas N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) [14] or gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) [15,16] levels reflect tubular lesions
As kidney disease is frequent in Leishmania-infected dogs and may lead to end-stage renal failure [31], the aim of the study was to investigate urinary NGAL (uNGAL) values in dogs experimentally infected with L. infantum and compare them with the renal parameters routinely used and with the microscopic findings observed in the kidney

Summary

Introduction

Canine visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, which affects several organs, for example, the skin, kidneys, spleen, liver, and eyes, and is characterized by a range of associated clinical signs [1]. Current protocols for the treatment of canine leishmaniasis are mainly based on the renal status, which is estimated following the International Renal Interest Society guidelines (IRIS Group) [5,6] They recommend measuring serum creatinine (sCr) concentration and the UPC for diagnosing, staging, and treating both AKI and CKD. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) [11], C-reactive protein (CRP) [12], and ferritin [13] concentrations in urine are associated with glomerular lesions, whereas N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) [14] or gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) [15,16] levels reflect tubular lesions These biomarkers have been compared with traditional tests; they have been infrequently correlated with histopathological lesions in kidneys [16,17]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion