Joint involvement in canine visceral leishmaniasis: Orthopedic physical examination, radiographic and computed tomographic findings.

Vet Parasitol. November 2021;299(0):109569.

Alexandre Redson S Silva¹, Hugo S Oliveira², Ana Amélia D Gomes³, Hugo Enrique O Beserra⁴, Jeana P Silva⁵, Thaís R Santos-Doni⁶, Miriam H Tsunemi⁷, Mary Marcondes⁸, Sheila C Rahal⁹, Maria J Mamprim¹⁰

¹ Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, S/N, Centro, CEP 56.304-917, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. Electronic address: alexandre.redson@univasf.edu.br.; ² Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Prof. Dr. Valter Maurício Corrêa, S/N, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.; ³ Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, S/N, Centro, CEP 56.304-917, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil.; ⁴ Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Prof. Dr. Valter Maurício Corrêa, S/N, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.; ⁵ Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Prof. Dr. Valter Maurício Corrêa, S/N, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.; ⁶ Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of the Valleys of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri (UFVJM), Av. Universitária, n. 1000, Universitários, CEP 38.610-000, Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil.; ⁷ Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Prof. Dr. Valter Maurício Corrêa, S/N, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.; ⁸ Department of Animal Clinic, Surgery and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Clóvis Pestana, n. 793, Dona Amélia, CEP 16.050-680, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.; ⁹ Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Prof. Dr. Valter Maurício Corrêa, S/N, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.; ¹⁰ Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Prof. Dr. Valter Maurício Corrêa, S/N, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, CEP18.618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the joint involvement in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis by means of orthopedic physical examination, radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings. Of the 46 evaluated dogs, an overall of 91.3 % presented joint (carpal, tarsal, elbows, and stifle) abnormalities, observed on physical examination, radiography and/or CT. In 67.3 % of the dogs orthopedic examination showed no abnormalities. Among the 31 dogs with normal orthopedic examination, 61.3 % showed radiographic and CT findings suggestive of osteoarthritis, 25.8 % presented normal radiographs with abnormalities evidenced only on CT, while 12.9 % presented normal radiographs and CT imaging. From the 15 dogs with abnormal orthopedic examination, 80 % had abnormal radiographic and CT findings suggestive of osteoarthritis, while 20 % presented normal radiographs with abnormalities evidenced only in their CT. Radiographic and CT findings included evident trabecular pattern, subchondral bone sclerosis, osteolysis, mixed bone lesions (osteolytic-proliferative lesions), soft tissue swelling around the joint (edema), joint space narrowing, bone proliferation, osteophytes, bone cyst and cartilage flap. Based on CT results the most affected joints, among those assessed, were the tarsal (80.9 %), followed by stifle (78.5 %), carpal (64.2 %), and elbows (54.7 %). Except by one dog that presented only one stifle joint compromised, the other three joints presented bilateral abnormalities in all dogs.

Keywords

Arthritis; Diagnosis; Dog; Lameness; Leishmaniasis; Polyarthritis;

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