Evaluation of liver naturally infected in canine visceral leishmaniasis: B-Mode and Doppler ultrasound aspects

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a disease of high zoonotic potential, affecting several species of domestic animals, wildlife and also human beings. Of more concern is the fact that this disease is caused by a protozoan cycle complex and difficult measures to control and eradicate.The disease is caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania ssp., And Brazil is the etiologic agent of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. The affected dogs are considered epidemiologically most important disease in humans, they constitute the main transmission link in urban Leishmania ssp., Mainly due to its high prevalence, because they are considered reservoirs, and its close proximity to man. The clinical diagnosis is not specific because it presents a wide variety of symptoms and in many cases animals are asymptomatic, and therefore it is necessary the use of diagnostic methods such as ultrasound examinations. Even before the great importance of this disease and wide distribution in the country is not in the current literature about aspects ultrasound liver of infected dogs, which could be of value to contribute to the diagnosis or suspicion of this disease more quickly, since it is known LV that causes a granulomatous inflammation in the liver (FERRER, 2002), that could be analyzed by ultrasound, imaging modality easy access to veterinarians today. Therefore this study aims to research the ultrasound images of the liver in dogs naturally affected by visceral leishmaniasis in order to contribute to signs and characteristics that help to subsidize or even suspected diagnosis of canine leishmaniasis. For the study, will be evaluated by conventional and Doppler ultrasound examination of the liver 30 dogs naturally infected with serological or parasitological diagnosis positive for Leishmania spp., Originating from the city of Bauru, São Paulo.