One hundred and twenty serum samples obtained from dogs with specific titres (<FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT>100) against Leptospira spp. serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae were tested in order to determine the enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamaglutamyltransferase (GGT), as well as of the total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulins and total, direct and indirect bilirubins serum concentrations. Thirty four animals free from clinical signs with the same age of the tested group were used as control group and submitted to the same biochemical tests. The animals with titres <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT>200 showed increased ALP activity and greater direct bilirubin concentration when compared to the control group and also to the group of dogs with titres <200 (P<0.05). A clear correlation was observed between hepatic damage, without hepatocellular necrosis, and specific seroreactivity for leptospirosis caused by serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae.
leptospirosis; dogs; Icterohaemorrhagiae; liver
