Canine visceral leishmaniosis: a remarkable histopathological picture of one case reported from Brazil

This report describes a remarkable histopathological presentation of a symp tomatic dog naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi from Br azil. An intense inflammatory granulomatous reaction was observed in the li ver and spleen associated with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mononucle ar system (the classical histopathological picture of the disease). In addi tion, a spectrum of vascular lesions was observed in many organs. However, we did not find parasites (amastigotes of Leishmania) in any skin fragments of the ear, nose and or abdominal tissue. In fact, this animal had severe clinical signs, showed parasites in many organs, but no parasites in the sk in. It appears that the presence or absence of parasites in the skin is not a good indicator of parasites in other organs or vice versa. (C) 2001 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.