Symptomatic Leishmaniasis in an Italian Segugio Dog from Northeastern Romania: A Case Report

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic parasitosis caused by a diphasic protozoan of the genus Leishmania. The dogs are considered the main domestic reservoir of L. infantum and its transmission occurs mainly through sand flies. We report the case of a 10 yr old Italian Segugio dog in Mar 2016 from Iasi County-Moldova Region, northeastern Romania, referred to a private clinic with progressive weight loss, dermal lesions over the muzzle, foot pads and over the right and left tarsal joints. The dog was born in Torino, Italy and transferred to Romania, with a history of regular travelling between these two countries. The physical examination revealed multiple cutaneous lesions with alopecia together with polyarthritis, lymphadenopathies, fatigue and weight loss. Neither fever or nor diarrhea were observed. The serological test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) showed a positive result for Leishmaniasis. Light microscopy of the stained smears prepared from popliteal lymph node puncture failed to identify the amastigotes. The infection was treated using pentavalent antimonial therapy for eight weeks and Allopurinol for eight months. After nine months follow-up the dog presented with an improved body condition and no signs of recurrence.

Keywords

• Leishmaniasis
• Segugio
• Serology