RESUMEN
Experimental animal models have been used for the study of the physiopathogenesis of leishmaniasis, on some occasions with success, while in other situations such as bone alterations that accompany tegumentary leishmaniasis, especially in diffuse cutaneous form (DCL), the mechanisms are still unknown. In the present study, we determined these alterations in an animal model susceptible to Leishmania (L) amazonensis. Amastigotes of L. (L) amazonensis isolated from patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) were inoculated into the hind paws of eight BALB/c mice, macroscopic and histopathological aspects were analyzed. After 90 and 120 days of evolution, histopathological analysis demonstrated a mononuclear cell infiltrate rich in plasma cells and intense parasitism of intra- and extra-medullary macrophages, with areas of bone necrosis and discrete involvement of cartilaginous tissue. The results show that the inflammatory process developed during L. (L) amazonensis infection might cause bone tissue destruction and secondarily affect the joints.
Asunto(s)
Leishmania/crecimiento & desarrollo , Leishmaniasis Cutánea Difusa/patología , Osteomielitis/parasitología , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Miembro Posterior/parasitología , Miembro Posterior/patología , Histocitoquímica , Humanos , Leishmaniasis Cutánea Difusa/inmunología , Leishmaniasis Cutánea Difusa/parasitología , Macrófagos/inmunología , Macrófagos/parasitología , Macrófagos/patología , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Osteomielitis/inmunología , Osteomielitis/patologíaRESUMEN
A dog was examined with a history of weight loss and lameness of the left hind limb. A painful response to examination of the left hip joint, and lymphadenopathy were noted. Amastigote forms of Leishmania sp. were observed by cytology in samples from the popliteus lymph node, and anti-Leishmania sp. antibodies at a titer of 1:640 were detected in serum by indirect immunofluorescence. Radiological changes included osteolysis and a periosteal proliferative reaction in the left femoral greater trochanter. These changes were histologically characterized as an osteolytic granulomatous osteomyelitis associated with amastigotes within macrophages. Non-decalcified fragments of the periosteum were processed for immunohistochemistry, observed with prominent immunolabelling of amastigotes of Leishmania sp. within macrophages. The diagnosis was further confirmed by positive PCR for Leishmania sp., belonging to the Leishmania donovani complex.