Table 2 Clinicopathological data, antibody levels, IFN-γ production in stimulated blood and skin parasite load of sick dogs (groups A and B)

UPC (< 0.5)

0.2 ± 0.1

0.7 ± 0.7

Creatinine (0.5–1.5 mg/dl)

0.8 ± 0.1

0.9 ± 0.2

Urea (21.4–59.9 mg/dl)

43 ± 14

31.3 ± 7.8

0.037

− 2.083

Total protein (5.4–7.1 g/dl)

5.7 ± 0.6

9.1 ± 2.4

0.0001

− 3.686

Albumin (2.6–3.3 g/dl)

3 ± 0.4

2.3 ± 0.8

Beta globulin (0.9–1.6 g/dl)

1.3 ± 0.3

1.9 ± 0.6

0.01

− 2.572

Gamma globulin (0.3–0.8 g/dl)

0.7 ± 0.9

3 ± 2.6

0.002

− 3.079

Abumin/globulin ratio

1.1 ± 0.2

0.5 ± 0.4

0.004

− 2.899

Hematocrit (37–55 %)

45.6 ± 8.5

33 ± 9.8

0.024

− 2.251

Hemoglobin (12–18 g/dl)

15.4 ± 2.4

11.1 ± 3.8

0.032

− 2.148

Leishmania infantum specific antibody levels (cut-off value 35 EU units)

136.8 ± 196.1

8892.7 ± 17807.7

< 0.0001

− 3.887

Blood L. infantum specific IFN-γ (pg/ml)

2046 ± 2746.6

713.7 ± 832.8

Blood parasite load (parasites/ml)

7.8 ± 10.5

6.7 ± 11.1

Skin parasite load (dCq)

Clinically-lesioned

3.6 ± 4.4

− 0.4 ± 4.7

0.043

− 2.026

Normal-looking

6.1 ± 4

1.7 ± 4.5

0.004

− 2.869