A Case of Feline Leishmaniosis with Panniculitis.

Leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and transmitted mainly by the bite of sand fly vectors. Cats are infected with at least 6 species of Leishmania. Significant associations have been found between feline leishmaniosis and coinfections mainly with FIV and/or FeLV. A 7-year-old castrated male, domestic short-haired cat was presented with unknown history and cutaneous and ocular lesions. A raised, semifirm swelling on the forehead was observed along with periocular hypotrichosis and conjunctival and third eyelid edema. The indications for pursuing a diagnosis of leishmaniosis are variable, and differing presentations may require the use of different tests. Diagnosis of feline leishmaniosis with panniculitis caused by Leishmania infantum was made by cytology, histopathology, and PCR and Leishmania antibodies (IFA). The cat responded to therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol.

Intracellular IFN-γ and IL-4 levels of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the peripheral blood of naturally infected (Leishmania infantum) symptomatic dogs before and following a 4-week treatment with miltefosine and allopurinol: a double-blinded, controlled and cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a systemic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum with a wide spectrum of clinical signs, with cutaneous, ocular, renal and lymphoreactive conditions prevailing in the clinical setting. The immune system plays a pivotal role in the evolution of Leishmania infection and its response to antileishmanial treatment. Cytokines are important immune response mediators that are released by activated lymphocytes and less so by other immunocytes. In dogs with leishmaniosis, IFN-γ and IL-4 have been recognized as the main activators of cellular and humoral immunity, respectively. The objective of this study was to investigate intracellular IL-4 and IFN-γ expression by CD4 + and CD8 + lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of symptomatic dogs before and after combined antileishmanial treatment with miltefosine and allopurinol. RESULTS: Postantileishmanial treatment CD4 + IL-4 + and CD8 + IL-4 + cell counts were significantly decreased, although no similar changes were observed in the comparisons made between the pre- and posttreatment CD4 + IFN-γ + and CD8 + IFN-γ + counts and ratios. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that IL-4 production by T cells may facilitate the symptomatic phase of CanL, whereas IFN-γ production by CD4 + and CD8 + cells may indicate its negligible role in the evolution of natural CanL and perhaps the equivocal positive influence of antileishmanial treatment.