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Title: LEISHMANIASIS-ASSOCIATED PLACENTITIS IN A DOG FROM MARYLAND

Author
item DUBEY, JITENDER
item ROSYPAL, ALEXA - BLACKSBURG, VA
item PIERCE, VIRGINIA - FREDERICK, MD
item SCHEINBERG, STUART - GLENWOOD, MD
item LINDSAY, DAVID - BLACKSBURG, VA

Submitted to: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2005
Publication Date: 10/15/2005
Citation: Dubey, J.P., Rosypal, A.C., Pierce, V., Scheinberg, S., Lindsay, D.S. 2005. Leishmaniasis-associated placentitis in a dog from maryland. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 227:1266-1269.

Interpretive Summary: Leishmania species are single -celled parasites communicable to humans. Leishmaniasis is becoming endemic in Foxhounds in the US. The authors report leishmaniasis-associated abortion in a dog from Maryland. The results will be of interest to biologists, veterinarians, parasitologists , and public health workers.

Technical Abstract: A 1.5 year-old Coonhound dog from Maryland aborted 7 puppies. Placenta and internal tissues of 1 fetus were examined histologically The predominant lesion was placentitis characterized by necrossis and infiltration of mixed leukocytes. Numerous Leishmania sp amastigotes were identified in placental trophoblasts and the diagnosis was conformed by immunohistochemical staining using Leishmania- specific antibodies. Protozoa were not found in the fetal tissues. The indirect fluorescent antibody titer in serum sample from the bitch was 1:100 and serum exhibited a positive rK39 immunoassay. To authors knowledge this is the first report of leishmaniasis- associated placentitis in a dog in the US.