Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019214 (hepatosplenomegaly)
 4,408 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Canine leishmaniasis, a generally fatal parasitic disease, was diagnosed in 2 dogs with a medical history of foreign travel, lymphadenopathy, emaciation, anorexia, intermittent fever, and cutaneous lesions. Clinically, hyperproteinemia, proteinuria, azotemia, and glomerulopathy were evident. Isolation of Leishmania species was done using Schneider's Drosophila medium. Syrian hamsters were used for infectivity studies. Clear taxonomic identification was done biochemically by isoenzyme analysis and comparison of zymogram banding patterns with 6 World Health Organization reference strains. Based on the geographic origin of affected dogs, clinicopathologic presentation, visceralization with hepatosplenomegaly in hamsters, and isoenzyme analysis, a diagnosis of Leishmania leishmania infantum was made. This study, representing the first taxonomic identification of an isolate from canine leishmaniasis, demonstrates the zoonotic and epidemiologic implications of this disease.
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PMID:Canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania leishmania infantum in two Labrador retrievers. 151 92

Visceral leishmaniasis was experimentally induced in hamsters by the intracardiac inoculation of 10(7) amastigotes of Leishmania leishmania infantum of canine origin. At postinoculation (PI) days 7, 21, 42, and 63, hamsters were euthanatized. Body weights and total parasite numbers of the liver and spleen were determined. Gross and histologic evaluations of tissues were done. Dogs also were inoculated IV with 10(8) amastigotes/kg of body weight. Samples were obtained from dogs prior to infection and at biweekly PI intervals for CBC and serum chemical analysis, for lymphocyte blastogenic assay by use of blood leukocytes, and for ELISA to determine antileishmanial antibody titers. At PI week 12, dogs were necropsied; organ weights, tissue imprints of the liver and spleen, and histologic interpretations of tissues were obtained. Hamsters developed high parasite numbers within 7 days after inoculation, at which time the total parasite numbers in the liver (3.51 x 10(7) amastigotes) was observed to be approximately 11 times that in the spleen (2.93 x 10(6)). The liver had the highest parasite numbers throughout the infection period. Some infected hamsters became either cachectic and emaciated or ascitic. Two of the 10 infected hamsters died at PI days 54 and 58. Moderate to severe hepatosplenomegaly with granulomatous inflammatory reactions characterized by the presence of varied numbers of parasitized macrophages, giant cells, and hepatic Schaumann bodies were observed in infected hamsters. Infected dogs developed significantly altered hematologic values consisting of mild anemia and moderate leukopenia at PI weeks 8 to 12. Hyperproteinemia characterized by hyperglobulinemia (4.5 g/dl) was noticed at PI week 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Determination of virulence and pathogenesis of a canine strain of Leishmania leishmania infantum in hamsters and dogs. 842 54

Visceral leishmaniasis is an infection with an insidious and disabling course caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. In Europe, it is mostly associated with HIV infection. Systemic lupus erythematosus and its treatment are associated with increased risk of infection, neoplastic and concomitant autoimmune disorders. The association of these diseases may go unnoticed. A 60 year-old Caucasian woman with lupus presented with a one-year history of fever, malaise, weakness and weight loss. The highlights on physical examination were pallor, palpable hepatosplenomegaly and low-grade fever. Blood tests showed pancytopenia, hyperproteinemia with hypoalbuminemia and hypergammaglobulinemia; electrophoresis showed a polyclonal gamma curve. Full-body CT scan revealed massive hepatosplenomegaly. Microbiology investigation was negative for the most common pathogens, including tuberculosis. There were no signs of hematologic malignancy in the bone marrow smear. PCR for Leishmania infantum was positive both in blood and bone marrow. The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B, and immunosuppression was adjusted. She showed rapid clinical improvement and 6 months later had no signs of disease. The differential diagnosis in a patient with lupus presenting with fever and multisystemic manifestations includes infectious or neoplastic disorders. The patient lived in an endemic area of Leishmania, and typical clinical and analytical changes were all present, making this case highly educational. The case highlights the importance of a patient's epidemiological background and how it can lead to the diagnosis and timely treatment of a rare disease.
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PMID:Visceral leishmaniasis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. 2679 72