engleski

Allopurinol : the shortlisted candidate

In the Mediterranean country Croatia, drugs for canine leishmaniosis have not been regulated in the veterinary market. Canine leishmaniosis has been recognized in the south littoral parts of the country (Dalmatia region) as the re-emerging problem since 1997.Isoenzymatic analysis from 30 in vitro cultivated isolates revealed Leishmania infantum (MON-1 ; MON-27 ; and MON -34). Anti-leishmanial treatment with the drugs intended for use in human leishmaniosis often achieve only temporary clinical improvement in dogs with leishmaniosis ; it may not prevent the relapse of the disease. Since it might be a cause for the emergence of resistant strains, we have considered those drugs unacceptable for use in dogs. In the paper we describe clinical, parasitological, molecular, serological, haematological and biochemical follow-up during 4 years among 20 symptomatic dogs with serologically and parasitologically proved leishmaniosis. All the dogs had been under treatment with 30 mg/kg allopurinol p/o twice daily during 7 to 9 months. Since allopurinol has not been assigned for use in human leishmaniosis, we have found it as convenient medicament for canine leishmaniosis, due to its low price, simple application, absence of side-effects and generally good efficiency. Periodical follow-up is essential before and after the cessation of medication. From a few dogs’ peripheral blood polymerase chain reaction follow up was conducted on the highly reiterated minicircle kDNA that amplified a fragment of 145 bp (primers RV1 and RV2). In all the dogs antibodies titre have significantly decreased during and remained low after therapy, although in just a few have become negative. Serum total protein, urea, creatinin and haematological values in vast majority of dogs have normalized. All the dogs remained asymptomatic and parasitologically negative during the study, but kDNA was detected in a few blood samples after therapy cessation.

Leishmaniosis; dog; allopurinol; Croatia; follow up

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