Avaliação hematológica, bioquímica e de doenças infecciosas associadas à manifestação da demodicose canina generalizada emadultos

Abstract

The canine demodectic mange is an inflammatory skin disease of dogs caused by an excessive proliferation of Demodex spp. mites, normally commensal resident of the skin. Clinical manifestations are related to host genetic factors, use of immunosuppressive drugs, neoplasms and decreased or failed immune response due to concomitant infectious diseases. The study objective was to carry hematological, biochemical and infectious diseases associated assessments with manifestations of generalized demodectic mange caused by Demodex spp. in adult dogs. A dermogram and parasitological diagnosis were performed on animals using deep skin scrapings to determine Demodex spp. parasitism. Furthermore, tests were made for detection of visceral leishmaniasis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, heartworm disease and borreliosis through immunochromatographic test and rapid ELISA. Subsequently, a complete blood count and measurement of liver transaminases (TGO and TGP), urea and creatinine were performed to determine hematological and biochemical changes. Seven (7/16) were positive for Demodex spp. in skin scrapings. Among animals with positive parasitological diagnosis for Demodex spp., were detected the presence of antibody against Ehrlichia canis/ewingii (100%, 7/7), Leishmania infantum (28,6%, 2/7), Anaplasma platys/phagocytophilum (28,6%, 2/7), as well as Dirofilaria immitis (14,3%, 1/7). Hematological evaluation of animals with a positive parasitological diagnosis demonstrated the presence of monocytosis (7/7), leukocytosis (5/7), neutrophilia (4/7), eosinophilia (4/7) and lymphocytosis (1/7). The biochemical evaluation revealed elevated AST values in 3 dogs with generalized demodicosis and increased ALT values in only 1 dog. Urea and creatinine values were normal in all dogs. Statistical analyzes revealed strong correlation between the number of mites found in skin scrapings and AST and ALT values. The data demonstrate hematological and biochemical changes in dogs with generalized demodicosis. A better understanding of the factors that lead to the progression of adultonset generalized demodicosis can help the development of therapeutic strategies related to dogs with the disease, as well as preventing its development.