The finding of glomerular proteinuria concurrent with a positive titer for an infectious agent with recognized potential to incite glomerular disease is often interpreted to support a cause–effect relationship between these two findings. Such a conclusion is risky and may erroneously influence clinical decisions including the diagnostic approach, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies and risks, and outcomes of the disease. Although any infection can be causally associated with glomerular diseases, infections with Borrelia burgdorferi and Leishmania in dogs are especially problematic because of the seemingly common association of these infections with proteinuric conditions (Tables 1, 2). However, in some areas of the United States, common exposures to heartworm, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, or Babesia spp. lead to seroconversion without development of proteinuria; and in Mediterranean countries exposure to Leishmania promotes a positive IFAT result that indicates exposure to the infection but not necessarily active infection. Thus, serology alone is not conclusive evidence that an infectious agent is the cause of a coexisting glomerular disease.
Consensus recommendations for treatment for dogs with serology positive glomerular disease
Zatelli A.;
2013-01-01
Abstract
The finding of glomerular proteinuria concurrent with a positive titer for an infectious agent with recognized potential to incite glomerular disease is often interpreted to support a cause–effect relationship between these two findings. Such a conclusion is risky and may erroneously influence clinical decisions including the diagnostic approach, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies and risks, and outcomes of the disease. Although any infection can be causally associated with glomerular diseases, infections with Borrelia burgdorferi and Leishmania in dogs are especially problematic because of the seemingly common association of these infections with proteinuric conditions (Tables 1, 2). However, in some areas of the United States, common exposures to heartworm, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, or Babesia spp. lead to seroconversion without development of proteinuria; and in Mediterranean countries exposure to Leishmania promotes a positive IFAT result that indicates exposure to the infection but not necessarily active infection. Thus, serology alone is not conclusive evidence that an infectious agent is the cause of a coexisting glomerular disease.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.