CHALLENGES IN DIAGNOSING LEPTOSPIROSIS IN DOGS

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global relevance caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, presenting a significant diagnostic and epidemiological challenge in dogs due to their role as incidental hosts and reservoirs. The objective of this study was to analyze the main challenges in the diagnosis of canine leptospirosis, focusing on the interpretation of laboratory tests and their clinical and epidemiological correlation. The results indicate that the diversity of circulating serovars and the nonspecific nature of clinical signs hinder early detection. The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), although the gold standard, has limitations in the acute phase due to the immunological window and the possible interference of vaccine antibodies. In contrast, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) demonstrates high utility in early detection in blood and in identifying renal colonization in urine, although its sensitivity may be compromised by prior use of antibiotics. It is concluded that an assertive diagnosis requires a strategic combination of serological and molecular methods, coupled with a high index of clinical suspicion. An integrated approach from a One Health perspective is essential to mitigate the risks of zoonotic transmission and optimize patient prognosis.