Fatal case of imported visceral leishmaniasis in a dog caused by Leishmania infantum in French Guiana

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) 2024-10, Vol.55, p.101108, Article 101108
• Main Authors: Saout, Mona, Pinheiro, Théo, da Costa, Virginie, Savin, Marine, Balmelle, Benoit, Lefort, Solène, de Thoisy, Benoit, Matoute, Adria, Hernandez, Miguel, Ravel, Christophe, Sterkers, Yvon, Prévot, Ghislaine, Demar, Magalie, Ginouvès, Marine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil; Communicable Diseases, Imported - diagnosis; Communicable Diseases, Imported - parasitology; Communicable Diseases, Imported - veterinary; Dog; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs; Fatal Outcome; French Guiana; Leishmania infantum; Leishmania infantum - isolation & purification; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - drug therapy; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - parasitology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - veterinary; Male; Visceral leishmaniasis
• ISSN: 2405-9390; 2405-9390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101108

Here we described a case of fatal canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in French Guiana, a non-endemic VL Amazonian area. The dog was a 2-year-old pug imported from Brazil to French Guiana. Initially seen for a pruriginous lesion on the muzzle which healed after treatment, the dog was in a deteriorated condition and had sublingual, foreleg and eye ulcers, one month later. A visceral leishmaniasis was suspected by the veterinarian. The dog was hospitalized awaiting results, which revealed the presence of L. infantum. However, the dog succumbed suddenly before the results were returned. Few imported and scarce autochthonous canine VL cases have been previously reported in French Guiana, raising the need for local epidemiological surveillance, considering the possibility of unusual transmission routes of the parasite.