Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Features of ophthalmological lesions in feline leishmaniosis

2^nd World Congress on Parasitology, Microbiology and Infection Control

November 08-09, 2021 | Webinar

Di Pietro Simona

University of Messina, Italy

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) is increasingly reported in areas where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. However, little information is available on clinical features, management and treatment of diseased cats. Few clinical cases are, indeed, reported in the literature, and, generally, do not provide detailed information on diagnosis, management and follow-up. Cutaneous lesions including ulcerative, crusty, nodular or scaly dermatitis, mainly located on the head and neck, are the most recurrent clinical features reported in FeL. Ocular lesions, gingivostomatitis, and lymph node enlargement have also been reported frequently. The histopathological findings of skin lesions include a diffuse granulomatous dermatitis with macrophages containing many amastigotes forms, or a granulomatous perifolliculitis and lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis. In this study we present clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical findings observed in two domestic shorthair cats with leishmaniosis along with their long-term follow-up data. Ocular lesions recurred in the two cases and were characterized by nodular blepharitis and conjunctivitis. The presence of amastigotes of Leishmania was documented on microscopic slide smears from nodular lesions and conjunctival swabs. Both cats scored positive to IFAT and RT-PCR on blood and/or conjunctival swabs; also, in one cat the parasite was isolated in culture from the material collected by fine-needle-aspirate of the nodular lesion on the eyelid, and identified as Leishmania infantum. Cats were treated with allopurinol per os q 12/24 h and showed a survival time up to 38 months after the first diagnosis. This study provides evidence-based data on this scantly documented disease of cats.

Biography :

Simona Di Pietro has completed her PhD at the age of 29 years and postdoctoral studies from University of Messina (Italy). From 2011, she is an assistant professor at the Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina. Lecturer for Medical Therapy for veterinary students from 2020. Lecturer for Postgraduate Schools of veterinary medicine. Primary research areas of Simona Di Pietro are veterinary ophthalmology, veterinary internal medicine, veterinary infectious disease and particuarly vector borne diseases such as leishmaniosis. She has published more than 60 papers in reputed ISI journals.