Investigation of comorbidities in dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum

Kosmas N Apostolidis; Manolis K Chatzis; Dimitris Kasabalis; Antonia Mataragka; John Ikonomopoulos; Vassilis Skampardonis; Labrini V Athanasiou; Mathios E Mylonakis; Leonidas S Leontides; Manolis N Saridomichelakis

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100844

Investigation of comorbidities in dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2023 Apr:39:100844. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100844. Epub 2023 Feb 15.

Affiliations

¹ Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece.
² Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece. Electronic address: mchatzis@vet.uth.gr.
³ Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece; Veterinary Clinic "St. Modestos", Aerodromiou Str. 59A, GR-57013 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁴ Department of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Faculty of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos Str. 75, Votanikos, GR-11855 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: stud13856@aua.gr.
⁵ Department of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Faculty of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos Str. 75, Votanikos, GR-11855 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: ikonomop@aua.gr.
⁶ Laboratory of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Animal Health Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece. Electronic address: bskamp@vet.uth.gr.
⁷ Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece. Electronic address: lathan@vet.uth.gr.
⁸ Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Stavrou Voutyra Str. 11, GR-54627 Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: mmylonak@vet.auth.gr.
⁹ Laboratory of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Animal Health Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece. Electronic address: leoleont@vet.uth.gr.
¹⁰ Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43132 Karditsa, Greece. Electronic address: msarido@vet.uth.gr.

PMID: 36878629
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100844

Abstract

In endemic areas, dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum frequently have comorbidities, including mostly neoplastic, infectious, and parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of comorbidities among dogs that are not infected by L. infantum, dogs that are infected but do not present leishmaniosis, and dogs with leishmaniosis, and to examine if certain comorbidities are independent risk factors for the infection by L. infantum and/or for the development of canine leishmaniosis (CanL). A total of 111 dogs, older than 1-year and non-vaccinated against CanL, were allocated into three groups: group A (n = 18) included dogs that were not infected by L. infantum, group B (n = 52) included dogs that were infected by L. infantum but did not present CanL, and group C (n = 41) included dogs with CanL. Signalment and historical data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Laboratory examinations included complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, fecal parasitology, modified Knott's test, microscopic examination of capillary blood, buffy coat, lymph node, bone marrow and conjunctival smears, qualitative serology for Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys, Borrelia burgdorferi and E. canis, IFAT for L. infantum, ELISA for Babesia spp. and Neospora caninum, and real-time PCR for L. infantum in bone marrow, skin biopsies and conjunctival swabs. A variety of comorbidities were found in all three groups. No independent risk factors for infection by L. infantum were found. On the contrary, among dogs infected by L. infantum, being a mongrel [odds ratio (OR): 11.2], not receiving prevention for dirofilariosis (OR: 26.5) and being seropositive to N. caninum (OR: 17.1) or to Babesia spp. (OR: 37.6), were independent risk factors for presenting CanL. Although no comorbidities influence the probability of canine infection by L. infantum, certain comorbidities may be precipitating factors for the transition from the subclinical infection by L. infantum to the overt CanL.

Keywords: Babesia; Canine; Comorbidity; Leishmania infantum; Neospora.

MeSH terms

Anaplasma
Animals
Babesia*
Canidae*
Dog Diseases* / epidemiology
Dogs
Leishmania infantum*
Leishmaniasis* / veterinary

Supplementary concepts

Anaplasma platys