Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Colombia Resistant to the Treatment of Choice (Meglumine Antimoniate Plus Allopurinol)

Abstract

This paper describes a case of canine visceral Leishmaniasis resistant to Meglumine Antimoniate plus allopurinol treatment in a canine patient from Colombia. A one-year-old castrated dog of the schnauzer breed was referred for veterinary consultation for showing a 2-month history of dermatological lesions on the back of the body and tail. Clinical examination revealed circular and ulcerative alopecic lesions delimited by a high relief border. Based on the clinical examination and laboratory analysis, canine leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum was established as a diagnosis. The patient was treated with Glucantime® (50mg/kg subcutaneously twice daily for 4 weeks) plus Allopurinol® (10mg/kg twice a day orally for 10 months). Eight weeks after began treatment lesions had disappeared. However, two months later there was a clinical relapse. To our knowledge, it is the first report of resistance of canine Leishmaniasis to Glucantime® plus allopurinol in Colombia.