The aim of this study was to verify the feasibility of synovial fluid (SF) analysis for the parasitological diagnosis of leishmaniasis in naturally infected dogs. Aseptic arthrocentesis of the tarsal and carpal joints of 40 infected dogs (158 Leishmania sp samples) was conducted after euthanasia. The SF smears were evaluated under optic microscopy and amastigotes were detected in the SF of 35 dogs (87.5%). Of the 93 positive samples, 53% were obtained from the tarsal joints, and 47% were obtained from the carpal joints. Amastigote forms were confirmed in one (17%), two (26%), three (31%) or all four investigated joints (26%). This research highlights the feasibility and high sensitivity of SF evaluation for the parasitological diagnosis of leishmaniasis in symptomatic dogs.
leishmaniasis; canine; diagnosis; joint
