Leishmaniasis in dogs

[Jaclamothe at aol.com]

Dans un courrier daté du 10/01/01 13:07:18 Heure d'hiver Paris Madrid, 
opperdoes at trop.ucl.ac.be a écrit :

> 
>  Following the realization of the chronic outbreak afflicting a pack of
>  foxhounds in Millbrook NY, 130 km north of New York City, in 1999 when some
>  two dozen hounds died, researchers at NCSU [North Carolina State
>  University], CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and the
>  Walter Reed Army Institute of Research initiated a testing of the 11 000
>  foxhounds kept by US hunts.
>  
>  About 12% had antibodies to _Leishmania_ though the majority are
>  asymptomatic. These seropositive dogs were in the eastern USA. Some 50 dogs
>  from in and around Millbrook have also been tested and found to be
>  seronegative, as were the 450 stored canine serum samples at CDC.
>  
>  How the Millbrook hounds became infected remains unknown as it is well
>  north of any known sand fly sites in New Jersey. However, it is noted that
>  foxhounds are frequent fliers and may have been infected while in the
>  southern states. The researchers are reported as commenting, "We probably
>  uncovered a smouldering epidemic that has been in this country for 20 years
>  or more."
>  
>  [Byline: Martin Enserink]
>  


Over 9140 fox-hound tested, 1400 were positive in 21 states (eastern america) 
and canada. The preliminary results have been given by Dr schantz from CDC at 
a symposium in Milbrook last september.
The dogs (nearly all) have been successfully treated with allopurinol 10 
mg/kk BID orally administered (N=40). The treatment has not been stopped.  
Only two or three dogs have been treated wit allopurinol associated with 
antimonials.

Best regards



Jacques Lamothe DV
Clinique veterinaire de Carros
1 rond point de la roya
France 06510  Carros
33 (0)4  93  29  06  95