Tissue distribution of Leishmania chagasi and lesions in transplacentally infected fetuses from symptomatic and asymptomatic naturally infected bitches

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is primarily transmitted by an invertebrate vector, but transmission in the absence of the vector has been reported. Vertical transmission of VL has been described in man and dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Leishmania amastigotes in fetal organs and histopathologic changes associated with parasitism and to determinate the frequency of transplacental transmission and potential of vertical transmission by symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant bitches. Symptomatic (n = 4) and asymptomatic (n = 4) pregnant bitches, serologically and parasitologically positive for Leishmania sp., carrying a total of 53 fetuses (26 from symptomatic and 27 from asymptomatic bitches) were selected at the Veterinary Hospital of the National University of Asuncion, Paraguay. Samples of placenta and fetal organs such as liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, kidney and heart were histologically evaluated and processed for immunodetection of amastigotes and PCR. There were no lesions compatible with VL in fetal tissues in spite of the presence of amastigotes, particularly in lymphoreticular tissues. However, fetal hepatocytes had marked degenerative changes that were independent of the presence of amastigotes in liver. Twenty-six out of 53 placentas (13 symptomatic and 13 asymptomatic) and a total of 17 fetuses out of 53 (nine symptomatic and eight asymptomatic) were PCR positive. Together these findings indicate a high frequency of transplacental transmission and no differences in the potential of transmission when symptomatic were compared to asymptomatic pregnant bitches.