Bisalbuminemia in a dog with leishmaniosis after anti-Leishmania therapeutic protocol administration: a rare condition detected in the electrophoretogram

A 5-year-old spayed, crossbred female dog was referred for a unilateral nosebleed of 4 months’ duration. Rhinoscopy revealed significant inflammation of the nasal mucosa compatible with severe rhinitis. On the right nostril, the presence of a white patch on the mucosa was observed and a biopsy was taken. Histopathology revealed a granulomatous inflammation with the presence of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Some macrophages contained small oval microorganisms compatible with Leishmania species. The presence of Leishmania infantum was confirmed by specific immunohistochemistry, showing stained intracellular microorganisms. Abnormal clinicopathological findings included mild anaemia and hyperglobulinemia with polyclonal gammopathy. Moderate amount of antibodies to L. infantum were detected by ELISA in serum. An anti-Leishmania therapeutic protocol was established with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate, and 4 months later, a follow-up examination was performed showing improvements in laboratory parameters with the exception of the presence of bisalbuminemia.