Pro-Cellular Exhaustion Markers are Associated with Splenic Microarchitecture Disorganization and Parasite Load in Dogs with Visceral Leishmaniasis.

ABSTRACT: In canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), splenic white pulp (SWP) disorganization has been associated with disease progression, reduced cytokine and chemokine expression and failure to control the parasite load. This profile is compatible with the cellular exhaustion previously shown in human visceral leishmaniasis. The present study aimed to evaluate the in situ expression of cellular exhaustion markers and their relation to clinical signs, SWP disorganization and parasite load. Forty dogs naturally infected by Leishmania infantum were grouped according to levels of SWP organization and parasite load. SWP disorganization was associated with reductions in the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath and lymphoid follicles/mm² and worsening of the disease. Apoptotic cells expressing CTLA-4

SUBMITTER: de Souza TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6736856 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature