Diagnosis
In the United States certain breed clubs are strongly recommending screening for Leishmania especially in imported breeding stock from endemic locations. For reasons yet unidentified The Foxhound and Neapolitan Mastiff seem to be predisposed or at higher risk for disease. The Italian Spinone Club of America is also requesting that all breeders and owners submit samples for testing, the club reports that 150 Spinone Italiano have tested positive in the United States.
In the United States the following veterinary colleges and government bodies assist with testing and treatment of Leishmania positive dogs:
Iowa State University Dept of Pathology
North Carolina Center for Disease Control
The PCR method for the detection of Leishmania DNA is the most sensitive and accurate method for detecting Leishmania. A study completed on Foxhounds whom were tested with PCR showed approximately 20% of the tested dogs positive, the same population tested with anti-body serology (the traditional testing method in the US) showed only 5% positive.
Diagnosis can be complicated by false positives caused by the Lepto vaccine and false negatives caused by testing methods which lack sufficient sensitivity.
Treatment
L.infantum
Pentavalent antimonials
Meglumine antimoniate
Amphotericin B
Treatment
L. Donovani
Antimonial resistant
Polyene antibiotic amphotericin B
Given the recent appearance of L.infantum in the United States and the absence of a known vector the CDC recommends euthanasia of infected dogs due to their concerns of spreading the disease and its zoonotic nature. To date no known cases of dog to human transmission have occurred in the United States.
Prevention and Vaccines
In areas where the known vector is a sandfly an deltamethrin collars worn by the dog has been proven to be 86% effective. The sandfly is most active at dusk and dawn, keeping your dog indoors during those peak times will help minimize exposure.
Unfortunatley, there is no one answer for Leishmania prevention nor will one vaccine cover multiple species. Different virulence factors have been identified for distinct Leishmania species, and there are profound differences in the immune mechanisms that mediate susceptibility/resistance to infection and in the pathology associated with disease.
In 2003 Fort Dodge released the Leshmune Vaccine in Brazil for L.donovani. Studies indicated up to 87% protection. Most common side effects from the vaccine have been noted as anorexia and local swelling. The president of the Brazil Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine, Marcia Villa warns that since vaccinated dogs develop antibodies they can be difficult to distinguish vaccinated dogs from asymptomatic infected dogs. Studies are also indicating that the Leshmune vaccine may be reliable in treating L. Chagasi and a possible treatment for already infected dogs with L.donovani.
