Myocarditis and generalised vasculitis associated with leishmaniosis in a dog

Abstract

A three-year-old, female bulldog was presented with bilateral uveitis, apathy, listlessness, generalised lymphadenopathy and perivulvar haematoma. The initial laboratory studies showed non-regenerative anaemia, polyclonal gammopathy and a high urine protein:creatinine ratio. Serology for leishmaniosis was positive and treatment with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate was started. Despite treatment, the dog's clinical condition deteriorated. Signs included cutaneous ecchymosis, respiratory distress and finally cardiorespiratory arrest. Histopathological studies of postmortem tissue samples revealed a generalised vasculitis of several internal organs and severe myocarditis. Leishmania species organisms were identified in affected tissues using immunoperoxidase labelling and PCR techniques.