Clinical and laboratorial features of naturally occurring Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs from Mato Grosso do Sul

Ciência Rural

Souza, Alda Izabel de¹  Sousa, Marlos Gonçalves¹  Camacho, Aparecido Antonio¹  Paulino-Junior, Daniel¹ 

[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brasil

关键词: Chagas disease;    Trypanosoma cruzi;    dog;    clinical aspects;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0103-84782008000500024

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria * Centro de Ciencias Rurais

【 摘 要 】

Chagas disease is caused by T. cruzi, which is transmitted essentially by vector insects, and is distributed in Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and Brazil. Besides being an important reservoir of the disease, dogs represent the only species to develop clinical signs similar to those presented by human beings. This study was aimed at describing the clinical features of four dogs naturally infected with T. cruzi, as well as to warn that some cases might be underestimated. The animals were selected based on the serologic exams indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting test with T. cruzi excreted-secreted antigens (TESA-blot), and xenodiagnosis. Physical examination, chest radiographs, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and serum biochemistry was accomplished in every dog. The most important alterations were the enlargement of the right ventricle, the atrioventricular blocks, sinus arrest, and right bundle branch blocks, besides both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Three animals presented hyperproteinemia, as well as CK and CK-MB profiles compatible with an active myocarditis. These are the first reported cases of dogs with solid evidences of naturally occurring T. cruzi infection in Mato Grosso do Sul State, therefore reinforcing the clinical importance and the role of these species as reservoir of the disease.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC