RESUMO
Subclinical stage of ehrlichiosis is characterized by absence of clinical or laboratory alterations; however, it could lead to silent glomerular/tubular changes and contribute significantly to renal failure in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate glomerular and tubular alterations in dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis. We evaluated renal biopsies of 14 bitches with subclinical ehrlichiosis and 11 control dogs. Samples were obtained from the left kidney, and the tissue obtained was divided for light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. Abnormalities were identified by light microscopy in 92.9% of dogs with ehrlichiosis, but not in any of the dogs of the control group. Mesangial cell proliferation and synechiae (46.1%) were the most common findings, but focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and ischemic glomeruli (38.4%), focal glomerular mesangial matrix expansion (30.7%), mild to moderate interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (23%), and glomerular basement membrane spikes (23%) were also frequent in dogs with ehrlichiosis. All animals with ehrlichiosis exhibited positive immunofluorescence staining for immunoglobulins. Transmission electron microscopy from dogs with ehrlichiosis revealed slight changes such as sparse surface projections and basement membrane double contour. The subclinical phase of ehrlichiosis poses a higher risk of development of kidney damage due to the deposition of immune complexes.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/patologia , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Glomérulos Renais/patologia , Túbulos Renais/patologia , Animais , Biópsia/veterinária , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Cães , Ehrlichiose/imunologia , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Feminino , Imunoglobulinas/metabolismo , Masculino , Microscopia Eletrônica de TransmissãoRESUMO
In canine leishmaniosis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, little is known about how co-infections with or co-seropositivities for other pathogens can influence aggravation of this disease. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of co-infections with or co-seropositivities for certain pathogens in dogs seropositive for L. infantum and their relationship with clinical signs, histological changes and L. infantum load. Sixty-six L. infantum-seropositive dogs were submitted to clinical examination, collection of blood and bone marrow, culling, and necropsy. Antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia spp. and Toxoplasma gondii and Dirofilaria immitis antigens were investigated in serum. Samples from different tissues were submitted to histopathology and immunohistochemistry for the detection of Leishmania spp. and T. gondii. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess the L. infantum load in spleen samples. For detection of Coxiella burnetii, conventional PCR and nested PCR were performed using bone marrow samples. All 66 dogs tested positive for L. infantum by qPCR and/or culture. Fifty dogs (76%) were co-seropositive for at least one pathogen: T. gondii (59%), Ehrlichia spp., (41%), and Anaplasma spp. (18%). Clinical signs were observed in 15 (94%) dogs monoinfected with L. infantum and in 45 (90%) dogs co-seropositive for certain pathogens. The L. infantum load in spleen and skin did not differ significantly between monoinfected and co-seropositive dogs. The number of inflammatory cells was higher in the spleen, lung and mammary gland of co-seropositive dogs and in the mitral valve of monoinfected dogs. These results suggest that dogs infected with L. infantum and co-seropositive for certain pathogens are common in the region studied. However, co-seropositivities for certain pathogens did not aggravate clinical signs or L. infantum load, although they were associated with a more intense inflammatory reaction in some organs.
Assuntos
Coinfecção/sangue , Coinfecção/veterinária , Doenças do Cão/sangue , Ehrlichia canis/imunologia , Ehrlichiose/sangue , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Leishmania infantum/imunologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/sangue , Leishmaniose Visceral/veterinária , Carga Parasitária , Toxoplasma/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/sangue , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Coinfecção/parasitologia , Coinfecção/patologia , Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Doenças do Cão/patologia , Cães , Ehrlichiose/parasitologia , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Feminino , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Leishmaniose Visceral/parasitologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/patologia , Leucócitos/imunologia , Masculino , Células Mieloides/imunologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/parasitologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/patologiaRESUMO
La Ehrlichiosis Monocítica Canina (EMC) es una enfermedad multisistémica de alta incidencia. Sin embargo, su patogénesis de la enfermedad aún no ha sido elucidada. Lãs infiltraciones plasmocitarias y linfoplasmocitarias se observan en la mayoría de los órganos de animales afectados, incluyendo la médula ósea. Estas infiltraciones sugieren que la mayoría de las lesiones patológicas identificadas en la fase crónica son uma posible consecuencia del proceso inflamatorio iniciado a comienzos de la infección. Este estudio propone destacar la importância de evaluar la médula en perros afectados por EMC. Una mejor comprension de las cambios medulares en la fase aguda podría aclarar el origen de los signos clínicos observados en la fase crónica. Esta revisión concluye la necesidad de um mayor numero de estudios para verificar si la patogénesis de EMC se relaciona únicamente con procesos autoinmunes o con ataques directos de Ehrlichia canisa las células precursoras. Uma mejor comprension de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de E. canis podría permitir un mejoramiento tanto del enfoque terapêutico como del pronóstico de los animales gravemente afectados.
Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a multisystemic disease with high incidence among dogs. However, its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Plasma cells and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates are observed in most organs of infected animals, including bone marrow. These infiltrates suggest that most of the pathological lesions identified in the chronic phase may be a consequence of the inflammatory process initiated at the beginning of the infection. This work aims to highlight the importance of the bone marrow evaluation of dogs with CME. A better understanding of the medullary changes in the acute phase could help clarifying the origin of clinical signs observed in the chronic phase. More studies are needed to verify whether the pathogenesis of CME is related to either the immune-mediated processes or the direct aggressions of Ehrlichia canis in precursor cells. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of E. canis will improvement both current therapeutic strategies as well as the prognosis of severely affected animals.
A Ehrlichiose Monocítica Canina (EMC) é uma doença multissistêmica e de alta incidência. Contudo, a patogenia da enfermidade ainda não está totalmente esclarecida. Infiltrações plasmocitárias e linfoplasmocitárias são observadas em grande parte dos órgãos de animais acometidos, inclusive na medula óssea. Esses infiltrados sugerem que a maioria das lesões patológicas identificadas na fase crônica pode ser consequência do processo inflamatório originado no início da infecção. Este trabalho tem por objetivo destacar a importância da avaliação medular de cães com EMC. A maior compreensão das alterações medulares na fase aguda poderia esclarecer a origem das alterações observadas na fase crônica. Mais estudos são necessários para verificar se a patogenia da EMC está relacionada apenas a processos imunomediados ou se também há agressões diretas de Ehrlichia canis às células precursoras. Elucidar os mecanismos fisiopatogênicos de E. canis poderia melhorar a terapêutica instituída como também o prognóstico de animais gravemente acometidos.
Assuntos
Animais , Cães , Ehrlichia canis , Ehrlichiose/diagnóstico , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Exame de Medula Óssea/veterinária , HematopoeseRESUMO
La Ehrlichiosis Monocítica Canina (EMC) es una enfermedad multisistémica de alta incidencia. Sin embargo, su patogénesis de la enfermedad aún no ha sido elucidada. Lãs infiltraciones plasmocitarias y linfoplasmocitarias se observan en la mayoría de los órganos de animales afectados, incluyendo la médula ósea. Estas infiltraciones sugieren que la mayoría de las lesiones patológicas identificadas en la fase crónica son uma posible consecuencia del proceso inflamatorio iniciado a comienzos de la infección. Este estudio propone destacar la importância de evaluar la médula en perros afectados por EMC. Una mejor comprension de las cambios medulares en la fase aguda podría aclarar el origen de los signos clínicos observados en la fase crónica. Esta revisión concluye la necesidad de um mayor numero de estudios para verificar si la patogénesis de EMC se relaciona únicamente con procesos autoinmunes o con ataques directos de Ehrlichia canisa las células precursoras. Uma mejor comprension de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de E. canis podría permitir un mejoramiento tanto del enfoque terapêutico como del pronóstico de los animales gravemente afectados.(AU)
Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a multisystemic disease with high incidence among dogs. However, its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Plasma cells and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates are observed in most organs of infected animals, including bone marrow. These infiltrates suggest that most of the pathological lesions identified in the chronic phase may be a consequence of the inflammatory process initiated at the beginning of the infection. This work aims to highlight the importance of the bone marrow evaluation of dogs with CME. A better understanding of the medullary changes in the acute phase could help clarifying the origin of clinical signs observed in the chronic phase. More studies are needed to verify whether the pathogenesis of CME is related to either the immune-mediated processes or the direct aggressions of Ehrlichia canis in precursor cells. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of E. canis will improvement both current therapeutic strategies as well as the prognosis of severely affected animals.(AU)
A Ehrlichiose Monocítica Canina (EMC) é uma doença multissistêmica e de alta incidência. Contudo, a patogenia da enfermidade ainda não está totalmente esclarecida. Infiltrações plasmocitárias e linfoplasmocitárias são observadas em grande parte dos órgãos de animais acometidos, inclusive na medula óssea. Esses infiltrados sugerem que a maioria das lesões patológicas identificadas na fase crônica pode ser consequência do processo inflamatório originado no início da infecção. Este trabalho tem por objetivo destacar a importância da avaliação medular de cães com EMC. A maior compreensão das alterações medulares na fase aguda poderia esclarecer a origem das alterações observadas na fase crônica. Mais estudos são necessários para verificar se a patogenia da EMC está relacionada apenas a processos imunomediados ou se também há agressões diretas de Ehrlichia canis às células precursoras. Elucidar os mecanismos fisiopatogênicos de E. canis poderia melhorar a terapêutica instituída como também o prognóstico de animais gravemente acometidos.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Cães , Ehrlichiose/diagnóstico , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Ehrlichia canis , Hematopoese , Exame de Medula Óssea/veterináriaRESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate nitric oxide levels, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and glutathione reductase activity in serum of dogs experimentally infected by Ehrlichia canis. Banked serum samples of dogs divided into two groups were used: negative control (n=5) and infected by E. canis (n=5). The concentration of nitrite/nitrate (NOx), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in sera were evaluated. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 6, 18 and 30 post-infection (PI). NOx and TBARS levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the infected group at 18 and 30 days PI, as well as AOPP levels at 30 days PI when compared to samples from control group. The GR activity was significant (P<0.05) increased in serum of dogs infected by E. canis on days 18 and 30 PI. Based on the increased levels of NOx, TBARS, AOPP and GR activity we concluded that dogs experimentally infected by E. canis develop a state of redox imbalance and that these changes might be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/patologia , Ehrlichia canis/fisiologia , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/fisiologia , Animais , Cães , Ehrlichiose/patologia , FemininoRESUMO
Background: Monocytic ehrlichiosis is an important disease in canine pathology and is present worldwide and has a potentially lethal outcome. This infection as a 'new' infective disease of dogs and people and it has not been sufficiently researched, especially from the aspect of clinical picture, pathogenesis, diagnostics and differential diagnostics. The aims of this seroepidemiological research of the E. canis infection with dogs are to determine the values of G class antibodies prevalence to E. canis antigens, also to determine a agreement of positive serological findings between two immunodiagnostic tests (iELISA and IFAT), and to make an overview of the epidemiological characteristics of this canine infection. Materials, Methods & Results: One hundred dogs were involved in the seroepidemiological research of the E. canis infection. These dogs were from the City of Novi Sad area and its outskirts, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The epidemiological survey of the closed type has been used in the research. The survey has been conducted with all of the dogs involved in this research. Apart from identifying veterinary practices and the patients (breed, sex, age), the survey was designed to collect data about the tick bites (first bite or a repeated one); the number of the removed ticks; the dogs' lifestyles and information on whether the dogs had been abroad. An overall of 62 ticks were collected from the bodies of these dogs. By applying the screening iELISA test, the seroprevalence of class G specific antibodies was determined with dogs to E. canis antigens in 25%, while 75% of dogs were negative to the presence of specific antibodies of IgG class to E. canis. Out of 25 seropositive dogs, with antibodies to E. canis discovered through iELISA test, 12 (48%) dogs were in contact with ticks for the first time, while the repeated contact with ticks was experienced by 9 (36%) dogs. For 4 (16%) dogs, the owners negated that their dog had been bitten by a tick. Upon the application of a confirming IFAT, a seroprevalence was determined of specific class G antibodies with dogs to E. canis antigens in 16%, while 84% were negative to the presence of specific antibodies of IgG class antibodies to E. canis. Out of 16 seropositive dogs, in which antibodies were discovered with IFAT to E. canis, 9 (56%) dogs had been in contact with ticks for the fi rst time, while 4 dogs (25%) had repeated contacts with ticks. For 3 dogs (19%), the owners negated that ticks had bitten their dogs. Through a statistical processing of the results gained from the applied immunodiagnostic tests, a moderate agreement (Kappa value of 0.48) was determined. In the group of dogs that had been bitten by a tick, three types were determined: Dermacentor marginatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus. Overall 35 ticks of Dermacentor marginatus ticks were replaced from the dogs' bodies just as were 15 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and 12 Ixodes ricinus ticks. Discussion: The determined values of the seroprevalence in our country (iELISA - 25% and IFAT - 16%) are in harmony with the acquired values in other countries with warm climate. The values of seroprevalence determined in this research point to the fact that this disease must be taken into consideration in everyday health protection of dogs, especially after a registered tick bite within a differential diagnostics procedure.
Assuntos
Animais , Cães , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Ehrlichiose/epidemiologia , Doenças do Cão/sangue , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Imunofluorescência/veterináriaRESUMO
Ehrlichiosis and leptospirosis are frequent diseases in tropical countries, although they are not always considered as differential diagnosis. The purpose of this work was to evaluate clinical signs and hematological alterations in dogs reactive to leptospirosis, among them those that presented morulae of Ehrlichia spp. in peripheral blood, and to recognize the frequency of Leptospira serovars by means of the microscopic agglutination test. Blood samples were used from 50 dogs presenting morulae of Ehrlichia spp. in blood extensions collected from the ear marginal capillaries. The clinical signs frequently observed were apathy (100.00%), anorexia/dysorexia (100.00%), adypsia (83.33%), ocular secretion (66.66%), reactive lymph nodes (66.66%), diarrhea (58.33%), vomiting, anemia and fever (41.66%). Albeit unspecific, anemia and thrombocytopenia are frequent hematological findings in canine ehrlichiosis and are present in both diseases. Of the 50 dogs with ehrlichiosis, 12 (24.00%) were reactive to leptospirosis, and the most frequent serovars were Pomona (33.33%), followed by Canicola (27.77%) and Icterohaemorrhagiae (22.22%). The results suggest the need to establish a differential diagnosis between these diseases that may occur concomitantly.
Erliquiose e leptospirose são doenças frequentes em países tropicais, embora nem sempre seja feito o diagnóstico diferencial entre estas. Objetivou-se avaliar os sinais clínicos e as alterações hematológicas em cães reagentes para leptospirose, dentre aqueles que apresentaram mórula de Ehrlichia spp. e reconhecer a frequência dos sorovares de Leptospira, por meio do teste de aglutinação microscópica. Foram utilizadas amostras sanguíneas de 50 cães que apresentavam mórulas de Ehrlichia spp. em extensões de sangue coletadas dos capilares marginais da orelha. Os sinais clínicos frequentemente observados foram apatia (100,00%), anorexia/disorexia (100,00%), adipsia (83,33%), secreção ocular (66,66%), linfonodos reativos (66,66%), diarréia (58,33%), vômito, anemia e febre (41,66%). Embora inespecíficos, anemia e trombocitopenia são achados hematológicos frequentes na erliquiose canina e presente em ambas as doenças. Dos 50 cães com erliquiose, 12 (24,00%) apresentaram-se reagentes para leptospirose, sendo os sorovares mais frequentes: Pomona (33,33%) seguido pelo Canicola (27,77%) e Icterohaemorrhagiae (22,22%). Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de se estabelecer um diagnóstico diferencial entre estas doenças que podem ocorrer concomitantemente.
Assuntos
Cães , Doenças do Cão , Cães , Ehrlichiose , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Leptospirose/diagnóstico , Leptospirose/patologia , HematologiaRESUMO
Clinical signs, humoral and cellular immune responses, and microscopic and gross tissue alterations resulting from acute experimental Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs were studied. Four dogs were inoculated with E. canis and four were used as uninfected controls. After a 10-14-day incubation period, infected dogs developed pyrexia up to 41 degrees C for 6-8 days. Antibody titers to E. canis antigen were demonstrable in all inoculated dogs at 30 days post-infection. Necropsy of infected animals revealed pale mucous membranes, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, edema and ascites. Microcopically, the main lesions were: lymphoreticular hyperplasia in cortical areas of lymph nodes and spleenic white pulp, periportal accumulation of mononuclear cells and centrolobular fatty degeneration of the liver. Kidneys presented with glomerulonephritis characterized by interstitial mononuclear infiltration. Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes from lymph nodes and spleen sections displayed alterations in IgG, IgM, CD3+ and CD8+ cells population in infected dogs.
Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/parasitologia , Ehrlichia canis/imunologia , Ehrlichiose/veterinária , Doença Aguda , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Contagem de Células Sanguíneas/veterinária , Doenças do Cão/imunologia , Doenças do Cão/patologia , Cães , Ehrlichiose/imunologia , Ehrlichiose/parasitologia , Ehrlichiose/patologia , Hematócrito/veterinária , Imuno-Histoquímica/veterinária , Linfonodos/parasitologia , Linfonodos/patologia , Parasitemia/imunologia , Parasitemia/parasitologia , Parasitemia/patologia , Parasitemia/veterinária , Distribuição Aleatória , Baço/parasitologia , Baço/patologia , Linfócitos T/imunologiaRESUMO
A disease named locally as churrío or churrido equino (i.e., equine scours) has occurred for at least 100 years in Uruguay and southern Brazil in farms along both shores of the Merín lake. This report describes cases of churrido equino and provides serologic, pathologic, and DNA-based evidence indicating that the disease is in fact equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Potomac horse fever). Results of an epidemiological investigation conducted on an endemic farm are also presented. Clinical signs in 12 horses were fever, depression, diarrhea, dehydration, and sometimes colic and distal hind limb edema. Postmortem findings of 3 horses were of acute enterocolitis. Inclusion bodies containing ehrlichial organisms were found in the cytoplasm of macrophages of the large colon of 1 horse. Eleven of the 12 horses were serologically positive to Ehrlichia risticii (indirect fluorescent antibody assay) and, of 3 paired samples, 2 showed seroconversion. Ehrlichia risticii DNA was identified by a nested polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood of an affected horse. A healthy horse inoculated with peripheral blood from an affected horse developed the disease and antibodies to E. risticii. The disease had a peak incidence in March (summer) and was statistically associated with a marshy ecosystem near the Merín lake, where large numbers of Pomacea spp. (Ampullariidae) snails were found. Incidence density was almost 8 times higher in nonnative horses than in native horses. It was concluded that the previous diarrheic disease of horses known in Uruguay and southern Brazil as churrido equino is equine monocytic ehrlichiosis.