Impression cytology of ocular surface of naturally infected dogs by <i>Leishmania (L.) chagasi</i>

Abstract

Domestic dogs are considered to be the principal host reservoir of Leishmania infantum (= L. chagasi), thecausative agent of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) Hence, canine leishmaniasis has a particularimportance not only for the clinical veterinarians, but also to public health. Among systemic signs includesocular alterations as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis and keratouveitis. The aim of this studywas to evalutate ocular surface disturbance in dogs with CVL whether with or without ocular signs accessedby impression cytology. This method has a non-invasive character, minimum induced trauma exam and goodsample quality. Animals were divided in 3 groups: G1, consisting of 15 positive animals for CCL and showingsigns of ocular uveitis; G2, consisting of 15 positive animals for CCL and without ocular signs uveitis and G3,consisting of 5 healthy animals. The ocular material was collected and processed; subsequently was carriedout analysis to obtain information from each group. Animals with ocular and sistemic signs showed I highinfiltrated polimorphonuclear cells and great amount of cellular debris with mucus in comparison to CVLcarrying animals without ocular signs and the control group. In conclusion, impression cytology of dogs withocular signs as uveitis caused leishmaniasis can be useful as CVL presuntive diagnostic although theparasitological and serological exams are essential for CVL diagnosis.