Case report of canine co-infection with Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis

• Main Authors: Stefanovska Jovana, Nikolovski Goran, Kocevski Zoran, Atanaskova Elena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ss.Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje 2011-05-01
• Series: Macedonian Veterinary Review
• Subjects: L. infantum; Ehrichia canis; dog; IFAT; ELISA
• Online Access: http://www.macvetrev.mk/2011-1/CASE%20REPORT%20OF%20CANINE%20CO-INFECTION%20WITH.pdf

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum and canine monocytic ehrilichiosis (CME) due to Ehrlichia canis are common diseases with zoonotic potential in the Mediterranean area. Their prevalence in R. Macedonia as a neighboring Mediterranean county is expected. In both diseases similar clinical symptoms can be manifested in dogs such as: lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, epistaxis, fever, pale mucous membranes, enlarged lymph nodes, splenomegaly, ocular signs. This case report present an atypical case of 11 year old female Samoyed with starting single clinical symptom epistaxys. Initial diagnostic procedures revealed the presence only of CanL, which was diagnosed using indirect immunofluorescence method and ELISA. First laboratory findings showed normal hematological and renal profiles. Dog was put on a treatment with Allopurinol (20mg/kg, p/o) for at least 9 months. Termination of the therapy after 6 months brought a numerous clinical symptoms involving weakness, dehydration, pale mucous membranes lost pupilar reflex, uremic breath and biochemical parameters revealed a renal failure. Using a commercial ELISA kit Ehrlichia canis as a co infection was diagnosed. Most probably the second infectious agent was induced in the past 6 months, causing more severe pathological effects than CanL infection alone.