R. Edelhofer et al., IMPORTED CASES OF LEISHMANIASIS IN DOGS, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY CONCERNING AUSTRIA (1985-1994), Wiener Tierarztliche Monatschrift, 82(3), 1995, pp. 90-95
From 1985 - 1994 twentyone dogs suffering from leishmaniosis have been
diagnosed in Austria. Because of an increasing number of 16 cases in
the last four years canine leishmaniosis is of considerable importance
to the veterinary practitioner in Austria. Ten dogs were imported fro
m endemic areas [Greece (3), former Yugoslavia (1), Spain (4) and Port
ugal (2)], whereas 11 dogs [France (1), Greece (1), Italy (3) and Spai
n (6)] had become infected during travelling with their owners in ende
mic countries. Most of the dogs had a long case history before the dia
gnosis was made. The most remarkable and typical symptoms were hair lo
ss with changing apical location and furfuraceous dermatitis- depilati
on. The most prominent feature was hyperkeratosis, presented as excess
ive scaling of epidermis and chapping of the muzzle and the footpads,
Scaling may be most prominent on the nose, around the eyes and on the
pinna. Abnormally long or brittle nails, a rather specific finding, is
present in a minority of the patients. Other symptoms such as tonsill
itis, status febrilis, hepatosplenomegaly, renal insufficiency and mil
d to moderate increased levels of the serumenzymes amylase and lipase
were found. As an ocular manifestation, changes from corneal opacity t
o bilateral uveitis can be observed. Laboratory tests exhibited hyperp
roteinaemia, moderate leucopenia, anaemia and blood eosinophilia. In a
ll 21 cases we found antibodies against L. donovani by IFAT in a dilut
ion of 1:20 - 1:2 500. A titre of 1:20 appeared to be specific. One mo
nth after therapy antibodies were decreasing to 1:20 - 1:40, 5 months
after therapy they increased to levels of 1:1 280 - 1:10 000. Therapeu
tically Glucantime(R) (meglumine antimonate) was used with good result
s, although it was impossible to eliminate the parasites completely.