Outbreak of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania enriettii in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

ABSTRACT: We describe an outbreak of leishmaniasis in seven guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) which nodular ulcerated skin lesions varying sizes were observed the nasal cavity, upper lip, pinnae, vulva, and periarticular region limbs. Cytologic exam collected samples auricle one animals revealed macrophages containing parasitophorous vacuoles approximately 4.0μm diameter their cytoplasm with morphology suggestive Leishmania sp. Although spontaneously regressed two Guinea pigs, only survived. All six that died necropsied. Grossly, all showed bloody cutaneous crusts. One had distended dark red firm lungs. Histopathology histiocytic interstitial acanthotic dermatitis associated a myriad organisms within cytoplasm. In lung, characteristic broncho-interstitial pneumonia focal infiltrates neutrophils, epithelioid macrophages, multinucleated giant cells 2µm basophilic amastigotes compatible spp. A granulomatous lesion ,associated causal agent lung is novel description caused by L. enriettii. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique mini-exon primer performed from affected was positive equal to reference strain, identifying cytological, macroscopic, histological PCR allowed diagnosis identification specie