DNA damage in canine leishmaniasis infection is detectable by micronucleus and comet assay in peripheral blood samples

<i>Leishmania infantum</i> is a parasite that causes leishmaniasis in its visceral clinical manifestations, which is considered a zoonosis and can infect both humans and animals. Currently, there is no highly effective treatment available, and many animals that exhibit symptoms ultimately die as a result of the disease and its complications. The clinical signs of leishmaniasis are varied and nonspecific. The main symptoms are severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, weight loss, splenomegaly, lymphadenomegaly, liver disease, kidney failure, and skin lesions, among others. Due to the chronic inflammatory state caused by the parasite, an oxidative environment is created, leading to potential cell injury and damage to the infected animals' genetic material. To investigate DNA damage, we conducted the micronucleus test and comet assay, as well as measured serum LDH levels in infected and non-infected dogs. Our results indicate that infected dogs present significantly higher levels of serum LDH (461.4 ± 204.5 U/L, n=36) compared to healthy dogs (142.38 ± 37.94 U/L, n=5). Additionally, the DNA of infected dogs is more damaged than that of the control group, as demonstrated by the micronucleus test (p=0.01) and comet assay (p=0.002). These findings suggest that <i>Leishmania infantum</i> infection can lead to clastogenic events, highlighting the need for further research on this process. It is important to consider the potential mutagenic properties of <i>Leishmania infantum</i>, given its ability to cause DNA damage in infected animals.