Expression of CD3+, CD21+ and CD68+ cell markers in the myocardium of dogs naturally affected by visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis, In America, is caused by a protozoan named Leishmania infantum chagasi. The injuries caused by the disease evolution occur through a immune response differentiation, it leads a deposition of immune complexes in many organs and this contributes to the pathogenesis of symptoms. Among all the injuried organs, the kidneys stand out, because its lesion it is the main reason of mortality in this disease. Although cardiac involvement reports in LVC be rare, in two studies maked by our research group was verified the occurrence of histopathological changes into the myocardium of 75 to 100% of the animals evaluated. In the most frequent results, there are: inflammatory infiltrate, cardiomyocyte necrosis and fibrosis. Besides this, the parasite was identified into the myocardium in about 60% of animals. The parasite's immunolabeling has shown positive correlation with the presence of CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, CD79 + B lymphocytes and IgG. This study is intented to continue the immune response in heart tissue naturally affected dogs by LV evaluation. To do this, it will be evalued the immunolabeling of lymphocytes TCD3 +, lymphocytes CD21 + and CD68 + macrophages, on the same dogs infarction fragments naturally affected by the disease, used in previous studies. (AU)