Ocular diseases in dogs naturally affected by visceral leishmaniasis in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil

EnglishThis study aimed to characterize ocular diseases in dogs naturally affected by visceral leishmaniasis in Teresina, Piaui State, Brazil. The diagnosis was made using parasitological exams of the bone-marrow and lymph-node samples. The main ophthalmological findings were uveitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Normocytic normochromic anemia was the main hematological finding, followed by thrombocytopenia. Plasma proteins were also considered, and hyperproteinemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were observed. Ocular histopathological examination revealed mild inflammation involving lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. Results indicate the need to perform a differential diagnosis to rule out or establish the presence of Leishmania sp. in dogs presenting with ophthalmic lesions in endemic regions. Key words: canine; eye; Leishmania sp; zoonosis portuguesO presente trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar as oftalmopatias em caes naturalmente afetados por leishmaniose visceral em Teresina, Piaui. O diagnostico de leishmaniose foi realizado por exame parasitologico de medula ossea e linfonodos. As principais alteracoes oftalmicas foram uveite, conjuntivite, blefarite, ceratite e ceratoconjuntivite seca. Anemia normocitica normocromica foi a principal alteracao hematologica, seguida de trombocitopenia. Em relacao as proteinas plasmaticas observou-se hiperproteinemia, hiperglobulinemia e hipoalbuminemia. A histopatologia ocular revelou processo inflamatorio moderado constituido por linfocitos, monocitos, neutrofilos e macrofagos. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam para a necessidade de se realizar diagnostico diferencial para Leishmania sp. em caes que apresentem lesoes oftalmicas em regioes endemicas. Palavras-chave: canino; Leishmania sp; olho; zoonose