Leishmaniosi nell’Ospedale Veterinario Universitario: patologia clinica, diagnosi, terapia e follow up

Abstract

The disease caused by Leishmania spp. is known worldwide and being a zoonosis, it has a particular relevance compared to other pathologies that concern only the pets. A study was carried out on leishmaniotic dogs brought to the University Veterinary Hospital in the last 5 years that has highlighted important and significant aspects. 46 subjects were divided into two groups of 21 and 25 subjects, to which belong respectively: different breeds of dogs with variable weight (15-45kg) and boxer. The study analyzed data on age, sex, origin, symptomatology, alterations to laboratory tests and follow up after 3,6 and more than 9 months from the beginning of therapy. What has emerged is that dogs from endemic areas represent almost half of the subjects, but there is a small percentage of individuals who have never moved from the area of Parma, this means that the phlebotomus is starting to colonize new geographical areas, thanks to climate change and other factors. It also emerged a discordant symptomatology, alteration to laboratory tests and a different follow-up between the two groups of subjects considered. The symptomatology turns out to be more disabling in the group called 'other dogs' than the boxers, while laboratory alterations are more significant in the boxer breed dogs. Regarding the follow-up the most responsive group is that belonging to dogs of different breeds, in the long run, however, the boxers show a recurrence of the disease.