Abstract
Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and specific IgG1 and IgG2 antibody levels were studied in 14 dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum using flow cytometry and ELISA. Six dogs (Group 1) were asymptomatic, and received no treatment. Samples from this group were collected from D0 to D180. The other eight dogs (Group 2) showed clinical symptoms, and were treated with Glucantime ® (from D0 to D40), with samples being collected from D0 to D90. Twenty-two healthy dogs were used as a control group (Group 3). The results demonstrated changes in the lymphocyte subsets, as well as a decrease in humoral and cellular immunity, in the infected dogs. Analysis of the B-cell populations of Groups 1 and 2 showed a striking reduction in the number of CD21+ cells. There was also a reduction in the CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations. Drug therapy was found to partly restore the lost immunity, essentially the cell-mediated immunity. Both IgG1- and IgG2- specific antibodies were detected in sera from the fourteen infected dogs, but the IgG2 subclass appeared to be predominant. A significant decrease in the level of IgG2 antibodies was observed in treated and untreated dogs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
