Feline Leishmaniosis: Hematological and Biochemical Analysis

Overview

Journal Rev Bras Parasitol Vet

Specialties Parasitology
Veterinary Medicine

Date 2023 Jun 28

PMID 37377321

Authors

Diogo Tiago da Silva

Maria Luana Alves

Julio Cesar Pereira Spada

Joao Augusto Franco Leonel

Geovanna Vioti

Julia Cristina Benassi

Valeria Maria Lara Carregaro

Maria Fernanda Alves-Martin

Wilma Aparecida Starke-Buzetti

Tricia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

One hundred and sixty-six cats from two animal shelters were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and parasitological tests (PA) for the diagnosis of Leishmania spp. Among them, 15% (25/166), 53.6% (89/166), 3.6% (06/166) and 1.8% (03/166) were positive by ELISA, IFAT, both PCRs and PA, respectively. The sequencing of ITS-1 PCR amplicons revealed a 100% match with Leishmania infantum. After the Leishmania spp. survey, 12 cats were selected and divided into two groups for clinical, hematological, and biochemical analysis: six L. infantum positive cats (G1) and six Leishmania spp. negative cats (G2). All the cats were negative for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). A statistical analysis indicated significantly low platelet counts and significant hyperproteinemia associated with hypoalbuminemia in positive cats (p<0.05). Our results suggest that in endemic areas, cats with clinical signs of feline leishmaniosis (such as skin lesions, weight loss and/or enlarged lymph nodes) and that exhibit hematological and biochemical changes, such as low platelet counts and hyperproteinemia with hypoalbuminemia, should be tested for Leishmania spp. infection.

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