Clinico-Pathological and Molecular Characterization of Fatal Canine Leptospirosis: A Case Report from Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Crossref Citations: 0
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Spirochetes of Leptospira spp. are responsible for leptospirosis, a zoonotic bacterial infection that affects various animal species, particularly canines. The present study aimed to report the detailed clinical presentation, management, post-mortem examinations, and histopathological findings of a 5-year-old male Boerboel dog displaying signs of acute illness, including anorexia, constipation, and emesis.
Case report: The dog was presented to the small animal clinic, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. Initial physical examinations revealed lethargy, pale mucous membranes, and constipation; laxatives and enemas were administered. The dog’s condition worsened, and then an exploratory laparotomy was performed, revealing a distended, obstructed intestine. Post-surgical care included antimicrobial and fluid therapy; however, the dog died a few days after the surgery. Necropsy revealed significant findings, including fatty liver, haemorrhagic enteritis, and lymphadenomegaly. Histopathological findings of the liver exhibited moderate hepatic lipidosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cholestasis. Renal samples exhibited interstitial nephritis and tubular degeneration. Reactive changes in gut-associated lymphoid tissues were observed in the intestinal samples. The polymerase chain reaction result for the Leptospira 16S rRNA gene was positive in the liver, confirming the diagnosis of canine leptospirosis.
Conclusion: The present study highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention in suspected cases of leptospirosis. The combination of clinical assessment, post-mortem findings, histopathological evaluation, and molecular diagnostics provided a comprehensive understanding of the disease process and emphasized the need for increased awareness and improved management strategies for canine leptospirosis in veterinary practice.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Vincent AT, Schiettekatte O, Goarant C, Neela VK, Bernet E, Thibeaux R, et al. Revisiting the taxonomy and evolution of pathogenicity of the genus Leptospira through the prism of genomics. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019; 13(5): e0007270. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007270
Levett PN, Morey RE, Galloway RL, and Steigerwalt AG. Leptospira broomii sp. nov., isolated from humans with leptospirosis. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2006; 56(3): 671-673. DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.63783-0
van de Maele I, Claus A, Haesebrouck F, and Daminet S. Leptospirosis in dogs: A review with emphasis on clinical aspects. Vet Rec. 2008; 163(14): 409-413. DOI: 10.1136/vr.163.14.409
Costa ACTRB, Colocho RAB, Pereira CR, Lage AP, Heinemann MB, and Dorneles EMS. Canine leptospirosis in stray and sheltered dogs: A systematic review. Anim Health Res Rev. 2022; 23(1): 39-58. DOI: 10.1017/S1466252321000190
Jubb KVF, Kennedy PC, and Palmer N, editors. Pathology of domestic animals. 4th edition. San Diego, California: Academic Press, Inc.; 2012. Available at: https://books.google.com.ng/books?hl=en&lr=&id=qjFfJ8pcttMC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&
Ahmed A, Grobusch MP, Klatser PR, and Hartskeerl RA. Molecular approaches in the detection and characterization of Leptospira. J Bacteriol Parasitol. 2012; 3(2): 1000133.
Latimer KS, editor. Duncan and Prasse's veterinary laboratory medicine: Clinical pathology. 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Available at: https://books.google.com.ng/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vChply3nkm4C&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Latimer+KS,+Duncan+%26+Prasse%E2%80%99s+Veterinary+Laboratory+Medicine:+Clinical+Pathology,+5th+ed.,+Wiley-Blackwell,+2011&ots=4TMsAh_cxc&sig=wR2gLkkGHGDjapxWaEZZ4mr3G6M&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Budde JA, and McCluskey DM, editors. Plumb's veterinary drug handbook. 10th ed. United Kingdom: Wiley; 2023. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?id=D9a5EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA63&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=snippet&q=enema%20&f=false
Pastore GE, Lamb CR, and Lipscomb V. Comparison of the results of abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy in the dog and cat. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2006; 47(1): 117. Available at: https://www.ovid.com/journals/vetru/abstract/01445522-200601000-00051~comparison-of-the-results-of-abdominal-ultrasonography-and
Slaoui M, and Fiette L. Histopathology procedures: From tissue sampling to histopathological evaluation. In: Gautier JC, editor. Drug safety evaluation: Methods and protocols. vol 691. Humana Press, 2010. p. 69-82. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-849-2_4
Rahman SA, Khor KH, Khairani-Bejo S, Lau SF, Mazlan M, Roslan A, et al. Detection and characterization of Leptospira spp. in dogs diagnosed with kidney and/or liver disease in Selangor, Malaysia. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2021; 33(5): 834-843. DOI: 10.1177/10406387211024575
Ivanova S, Herbreteau V, Blasdell K, Chaval Y, Buchy P, Guillard B, et al. Leptospira and rodents in Cambodia: Environmental determinants of infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012; 86(6): 1032-1038. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0349
Alaka OO, Olaifa OS, Fagbohun OA, Tijani MO, Jarikre TA, Ola OO, et al. Concurrent canine leptospirosis and aflatoxicosis in a Kennel: A case study. Niger Vet J. 2025; 46(1): 83-96. DOI: 10.4314/nvj.v46i1.7
Barthélemy A, Violé A, Cambournac M, Rannou B, Bonnet-Garin JM, Ayoub JY, et al. Hematological and hemostatic alterations associated with a single extracorporeal renal replacement therapy in dogs with acute kidney injury associated leptospirosis: A pilot study. Top Companion Anim Med. 2020; 38: 100406. DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2020.100406
André-Fontaine G. Canine leptospirosis—Do we have a problem?. Vet Microbiol. 2006; 117(1): 19-24. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.04.005
Ajayi OL, Antia RE, Ojo OE, Awoyomi OJ, Oyinlola LA, and Ojebiyi OG. Prevalence and renal pathology of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in wildlife in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2017; 84(1): 1-9. DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v84i1.1210