Acanthamoeba in Dogs: Addressing a Neglected Pathogen in Veterinary Practice

Background: Acanthamoeba spp. are cosmopolitan organisms that can switch to the parasitic state in immunocompromised humans and animals. Due to the limited number of reported cases, veterinarians often misdiagnose Acanthamoeba infections, leading to ineffective treatment and control measures. This issue highlights the urgent need to raise awareness of this neglected creature and conduct further research on the interaction between animal species and the parasite. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar in May ۲۰۲۴. Using keywords and Boolean operators related to Acanthamoeba and canines, we identified relevant publications without date restrictions. Retrieved records were compiled, deduplicated, and screened. Results: Acanthamoebiasis has emerged as a significant menace to canine health, causing ocular, respiratory, and neurological lesions. In some cases, Acanthamoeba spp. can cause disseminated infections. The clinical presentations may resemble the more prevalent diseases, such as canine distemper. As a consequence, this can complicate the diagnostic procedure. Moreover, uncommon sites of infection were the thyroid and prostate, which underscores the necessity of greater awareness of the potentially diverse pathological presentations of this parasitic infection. Conclusion: Records regarding the natural infections of animals with Acanthamoeba and its interaction with pathogenic bacteria highlight the importance of Acanthamoeba spp. in veterinary medicine. Acanthamoeba infections in animals are often challenging to diagnose and require specialized laboratory techniques for accurate identification. Since this neglected infection can impact the lives and livelihoods of many animals, it is essential to inform veterinarians and animal owners.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acanthamoeba ، Animals ، Dogs ، Veterinary medicine