Clinical and clinico-pathological observations of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in dogs affected by leishmaniosis and monitored during antileishmanial treatment

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is used in canine medicine in several disorders, especially to evaluate the levels of inflammation. ESR is a valid inflammatory marker in canine leishmaniosis (CanL), being markedly increased in sick dogs. This study evaluated the ESR together with several other inflammatory and immune response markers in 43 dogs affected by severe leishmaniosis, treated with antileishmanial treatment. Dogs were monitored at the beginning (T1) of treatment, in the middle (T2) of treatment, and 7–10 days after the end of the treatment (T3). The antileishmanial treatment was based on meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol for four weeks plus adding prednisolone at the anti-inflammatory dosage progressively tapered within the T2 set point. The ESR was measured and compared to immune and/or inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, ferritin, gamma-globulins, IgG). ESR levels were statistically reduced during treatment and significantly decreased at the end of the treatment. This came along with an improvement in other blood markers. This study shows the utility of ESR as a point-of- care test that can be used to monitor the response of dogs to antileishmanial treatment.