Association of myocardial parasitic load with cardiac biomarkers and other selected variables in 10 dogs with advanced Canine Leishmaniasis.

Background: The association between myocardial parasitic load (MPL) and cardiac biomarkers in Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) has not been studied.

Methods: Dogs with advanced CanL were prospectively recruited and were included if they were euthanised. Prior to euthanasia these variables were assessed: hematocrit, globulin, creatinine, N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), blood pressure, urine protein/creatinine ratio and echocardiographic parameters.

Comparison of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide levels at different stages of visceral leishmaniosis and in patients with chronic kidney disease.

N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may be a useful marker in canine leishmaniosis (CanL). The aim was to compare NT-proBNP in dogs at different LeishVet stages of CanL and with idiopathic chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dogs diagnosed with CanL or CKD and a group of healthy dogs were included (group A, five normal dogs; group B, six dogs LeishVet 1-2; group C, 13 dogs LeishVet 3-4; group D, six dogs with CKD).