Polyarthrite associée à une leishmaniose chez un jeune chien

A 2-year-old male Cane Corso dog was presented with lameness anorexia and lethargy since several weeks. At presentation, the animal had fever (39.3 °C), generalised lymphadenopathy (in particular popliteal lymph nodes), splenomegaly and bilateral swelling of the tarsal joints. Synovial fluid from tarsal joints and fine-needle aspirations of lymph nodes were submitted to cytological examination: Leishmania amastigotes contained in macrophages were observed. Some other causes of polyarthritis (Borrelia and Ehrlichia) were excluded by PCR. The follow-up of the treatment was done with PRC Leishmania on blood. Although the animal had non-regenerative anaemia, nephropathy, leukopenia and epistaxis, it was successfully treated with meglumine antimoniate, allopurinol, corticoids, and antibiotherapy.