Acute trypanosomiasis in a dog from Brazil: a case report study

We report a natural case ofTrypanosoma cruzi infection in a dog from Brazil that died after presenting apathy, anorexia, diarrhea, mucous pallor, and hypoglycemia. At necropsy, lymphadenopathy and enlargement of the spleen, liver, and heart were observed and also fibrin deposition over the liver capsule and spleen. The lungs were edematous with a reddish-to-blueish color. The liver had severe multifocal to centrolobular congestion, with slight hepatocyte dissociation, vacuolation, and severe necrosis. Lymph nodes showed multifocal follicular to coalescent lymphoid hyperplasia, and the heart had severe multifocal to coalescent lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. Cysts containing basophilic structures compatible withTrypanosoma sp. were observed in cardiomyocytes, and trypomastigotes were observed in blood smears.T cruzi DNA was detected using a molecular method in the myocardium. The necropsy findings, age, and clinical history confirmed a congenital infection. The present report reinforces the importance of continuous surveillance for similar cases of trypanossomiasis in dogs in endemic areas, as well as for a potential role of dogs as reservoirs ofT.cruzi infection for humans.
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research