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R Parthiban AB, Palavesam A, Srinivasan S, Mohanan A, Ghosh S, Krishnaswamy Gopalan T. Molecular characterization of Ehrlichia canis from naturally infected dogs reveals a novel Asiatic-lineage and co-circulation of multiple lineages in India. Res Vet Sci 2024; 175:105311. [PMID: 38823355 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis is an important rickettsial pathogen of dogs transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in India. Globally, molecular characterization of E. canis is done using different E. canis gene targets. This study aimed to characterize genetic diversity of uncultured Ehrlichia species from dogs by 16S rRNA and partial gp200 gene (termed as p43 region) sequences data. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene did not reveal any region-specific lineages. The phylogeny based on 5' region of E. canis gp200 gene (termed as p43 region) revealed four major clusters (A, B, C and D) and the Indian isolates fall under clusters A and B. Cluster A is characterized by an insertion of unique 141 bp tandem repeat sequence. Similar tandem repeat sequence was found in one of the E canis isolates from east-Asia, suggesting a possible divergence within this species. The study shows evidence for divergence of a new lineage within E. canis. The location of this insertion at the 'ankyrin repeat domains' containing region is suggestive of its possible role in modulation of host responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aravindh Babu R Parthiban
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - Azhahianambi Palavesam
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India.
| | - Sharmila Srinivasan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - Arya Mohanan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - Srikanta Ghosh
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243122, India
| | - Tirumurugaan Krishnaswamy Gopalan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
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Karagkouni M, Spilioti K, Meletis E, Kostoulas P, Koutinas C, Theodorou K, Breitschwerdt EB, Mylonakis ME. Assessment of the effect of long-term serum storage for retrospective serologic diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis). Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:102170. [PMID: 38581930 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
There is currently sparse information on the possible effect of long-term storage of serum specimens for the retrospective serodiagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the original serologic outcome and the results of a repeat indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay for the detection of IgG antibodies against E. canis. A secondary aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of two commercially available point-of-care (POC) immunochromatographic (IC) assays. Archived serum samples originally tested as positive (n=66) or negative (n=19) for E. canis IgG antibodies and kept frozen at -20°C for a median of 22 years, were retrospectively examined by IFA and by two POC IC assays. Cohen's Kappa coefficient (0.748, p < 0.0001), indicated a substantial agreement between the original and repeat serologic testing results. An almost identical high sensitivity and moderate specificity were established for the two POC IC assays. Canine serum specimens on long-term storage may still be of value for seroepidemiologic surveys investigating the exposure to E. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Karagkouni
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | | | - Eleftherios Meletis
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Public and One Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa 43100, Greece
| | - Polychronis Kostoulas
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Public and One Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Karditsa 43100, Greece
| | - Christos Koutinas
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | - Konstantina Theodorou
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | - Edward B Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC 27607, USA
| | - Mathios E Mylonakis
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece.
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Walter-Weingärtner J, Bergmann M, Hartmann K. [Overview on utility of in-house tests for detection of systemic infectious diseases in dogs]. TIERARZTLICHE PRAXIS. AUSGABE K, KLEINTIERE/HEIMTIERE 2024; 52:98-109. [PMID: 38701805 DOI: 10.1055/a-2289-1927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
For detection of infectious diseases, several point-of-care (POC) tests are on the market in addition to methods performed in commercial laboratories. These POC tests are based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or other immunochromatographic technologies and present results within few minutes in veterinary practice. This article gives an overview of the utility of numerous POC tests of different manufacturers for detection of parvovirus antigen in feces, Dirofilaria (D.) immitis antigen in blood as well as antibodies against Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, Anaplasma (A.) spp., Ehrlichia (E.) spp., Leptospira (L.) spp. and Leishmania (L.) infantum in blood (single or in different combinations). Sensitivity and specificity of these tests are important for their usefulness in veterinary practice. Furthermore, presence of antibodies or detection of antigen has to correlate with the presence of clinical signs. POC tests for detection of canine parvovirus antigen have a very high specificity, the sensitivity of all evaluated POC tests, however, is very low. POC tests for detection of D. immitis antigen have a very high sensitivity and specificity. As they detect antigen from the uterus of female adult parasites, test results are negative when only very few female or only male adults are present. POC tests for detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi only indicate contact with Borrelia spp. and do not prove clinical Lyme disease, as the infection only extremely rarely causes clinical signs. POC tests for detection of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum are also not suitable for diagnosis of clinical anaplasmosis. Infections with A. phagocytophilum only lead to clinical disease in very rare cases and in these, clinical signs occur before the development of antibodies. POC tests for detection of antibodies against E. canis have a very high sensitivity as well as specificity. POC tests for detection of antibodies against L. infantum and Leptospira species (spp.) show a very high specificity and a high sensitivity. However, Leptospira spp. antibody-positive results may occur following vaccination, as the POC tests cannot distinguish between field and vaccination strains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
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Lira-Amaya JJ, Beristain-Ruiz DM, Racanco-Delgado J, Garza-Hernández JA, Vital-García C, Santamaria-Espinosa M, Martínez-García G, Alvarez-Martínez A, Quezada-Casasola A, Rojas-Martínez C, Alvarado-Robles B, Figueroa-Millán JV. Molecular Detection and Characterization of Ehrlichia canis Isolates from Three Geographic Regions in Mexico: A Retrospective Study. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1629. [PMID: 37629486 PMCID: PMC10456115 DOI: 10.3390/life13081629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is the most common tick-borne disease affecting domestic dogs and other wild canids. It has a worldwide distribution and is associated with the presence of the brown dog tick. Few studies have been conducted in Mexico to identify and characterize Ehrlichia canis genetic variability. In the present study, 111 dogs of different sex, breed, and age from three geographic regions in Mexico were included. All of them had a previous history of tick infestation and/or the presence of one or more clinical signs compatible with CME. All dogs were tested by a commercial ELISA and nested PCR assay for the detection of E. canis. In addition, we analyzed the E. canis genetic diversity from the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained in this study, along with 15 additional sequences described for E. canis in Mexico and obtained from GeneBank. Serological detection by commercial ELISA results showed overall infection rates of 85.58% (95/111), including 73.1% (30/41) in samples from Guerrero state; 75% (15/20) in Morelos; and 100% (50/50) in Chihuahua. On the other hand, molecular detection (nPCR assay) showed 31.5% (35/111) overall infection rate, with 41.4% (17/41) in Guerrero state; 55% (11/20) in Morelos; and 14% (7/50) in Chihuahua. We observed a high 16S rRNA gene sequence conservancy in most of the E. canis isolates in the three geographical areas from Mexico, including those analyzed in this research, suggesting a common geographic origin among isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Juan Lira-Amaya
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Carretera Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico; (J.J.L.-A.); (M.S.-E.); (G.M.-G.); (A.A.-M.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Diana M. Beristain-Ruiz
- Departamento de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n Colonia Progresista AP 1729-D Cd., Ciudad Juárez 32310, Chihuahua, Mexico; (D.M.B.-R.); (C.V.-G.); (A.Q.-C.); (B.A.-R.)
| | - Jesús Racanco-Delgado
- Unidad Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Km. 3.5, de la Carretera Altamirano-Iguala, Ciudad Altamirano 39640, Guerrero, Mexico;
| | - Javier A. Garza-Hernández
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n Colonia Progresista, Ciudad Juárez 32310, Chihuahua, Mexico;
| | - Cuauhcihuatl Vital-García
- Departamento de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n Colonia Progresista AP 1729-D Cd., Ciudad Juárez 32310, Chihuahua, Mexico; (D.M.B.-R.); (C.V.-G.); (A.Q.-C.); (B.A.-R.)
| | - Montserrat Santamaria-Espinosa
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Carretera Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico; (J.J.L.-A.); (M.S.-E.); (G.M.-G.); (A.A.-M.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Grecia Martínez-García
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Carretera Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico; (J.J.L.-A.); (M.S.-E.); (G.M.-G.); (A.A.-M.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Antonio Alvarez-Martínez
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Carretera Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico; (J.J.L.-A.); (M.S.-E.); (G.M.-G.); (A.A.-M.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Andrés Quezada-Casasola
- Departamento de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n Colonia Progresista AP 1729-D Cd., Ciudad Juárez 32310, Chihuahua, Mexico; (D.M.B.-R.); (C.V.-G.); (A.Q.-C.); (B.A.-R.)
| | - Carmen Rojas-Martínez
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Carretera Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico; (J.J.L.-A.); (M.S.-E.); (G.M.-G.); (A.A.-M.); (C.R.-M.)
| | - Beatriz Alvarado-Robles
- Departamento de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n Colonia Progresista AP 1729-D Cd., Ciudad Juárez 32310, Chihuahua, Mexico; (D.M.B.-R.); (C.V.-G.); (A.Q.-C.); (B.A.-R.)
| | - Julio V. Figueroa-Millán
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Carretera Cuernavaca-Cuautla No. 8534, Jiutepec 62550, Morelos, Mexico; (J.J.L.-A.); (M.S.-E.); (G.M.-G.); (A.A.-M.); (C.R.-M.)
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Silvestrini P, Lloyd-Bradley B, Glanemann B, Barker EN, Badham H, Tappin S, Pascual M, Haines A, Mas A, Roura X, Piviani M. Clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment protocols and outcomes of dogs diagnosed with tick-borne diseases living in the United Kingdom: 76 cases (2005-2019). J Small Anim Pract 2023; 64:392-400. [PMID: 36727469 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report the presence of tick-borne diseases in dogs living in the United Kingdom. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dogs with a final diagnosis of tick-borne diseases made between January 2005 and August 2019 at seven referral institutions in the United Kingdom were included in the study. RESULTS Seventy-six dogs were included: 25 were diagnosed with ehrlichiosis, 23 with babesiosis, eight with Lyme borreliosis and six with anaplasmosis. Fourteen dogs had co-infections with two or three pathogens. Except for those dogs with anaplasmosis and Lyme borreliosis, most dogs with tick-borne diseases had a history of travel to or from endemic countries. However, three dogs with ehrlichiosis, and one dog each infected with Babesia canis and Babesia vulpes did not have any history of travel. A variety of non-specific clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities were reported. Targeted treatment was successful at achieving clinical remission in 64 (84%) dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Even in non-endemic areas, veterinary surgeons should consider tick-borne diseases in dogs with compatible clinical presentation and laboratory findings and especially where there is a history of travel. As autochthonous transmission of tick-borne-pathogens does occur, an absence of travel should not rule out tick-borne diseases. Specific diagnostic testing is required to confirm infection, and this enables prompt targeted treatment and often a positive outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Silvestrini
- Ryan Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - B Lloyd-Bradley
- Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
- Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK
| | - B Glanemann
- Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College - University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - E N Barker
- Small Animal Hospital, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | - H Badham
- Davies Veterinary Specialists, Hitchin, UK
| | - S Tappin
- Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK
| | - M Pascual
- Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK
| | - A Haines
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
| | - A Mas
- Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Winchester, UK
| | - X Roura
- Hospital Clinic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - M Piviani
- Ryan Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Ehrlichiosis in Dogs: A Comprehensive Review about the Pathogen and Its Vectors with Emphasis on South and East Asian Countries. Vet Sci 2022; 10:vetsci10010021. [PMID: 36669021 PMCID: PMC9863373 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichiosis in dogs is an emerging vector borne rickettsial zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution. In general, three Ehrlichial species (Ehrlichia canis, E. ewingii, and E. chaffeensis) are involved in infecting dogs. Among them, E. canis is the well-known etiological pathogen affecting platelets, monocytes, and granulocytes. Dogs act as a reservoir, while the main vector responsible for disease transmission is Rhipicephalus sanguineus. However, in east Asian countries, Haemaphysalis longicornis is considered the principal vector for disease transmission. This disease affects multiple organs and systems and has three clinical manifestations, including acute, subclinical, and chronic. Definitive diagnosis involves visualization of morulae on cytology, detection of antibodies through an indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT), and DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In canine ehrlichiosis, no predilection of age or sex is observed; however, Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds are more likely to develop severe clinical manifestations. Doxycycline, rifampicin, and minocycline are proven to be effective drugs against canine ehrlichiosis. This review is intended to describe a brief overview of Ehrlichia infection in dogs, its reported prevalence in east and south Asian countries, and the latest knowledge regarding chemotherapy and associated vectors responsible for the disease transmission. This manuscript also identifies the prevailing knowledge gaps which merit further attention by the scientific community.
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Wichianchot S, Hongsrichan N, Maneeruttanarungroj C, Pinlaor S, Iamrod K, Purisarn A, Donthaisong P, Karanis P, Nimsuphan B, Rucksaken R. A newly developed droplet digital PCR for Ehrlichia canis detection: comparisons to conventional PCR and blood smear techniques. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:831-840. [PMID: 35473801 PMCID: PMC9246678 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis infection is a life-threatening vector-borne disease in dogs worldwide. Routine blood smear has very low sensitivity and cannot accurately provide a quantitative result. Conventional PCR (cPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) are widely used as molecular methods for E. canis detection. qPCR is quantitative but relies on standard curves of known samples. To overcome this difficulty, this study developed a new E. canis quantitative detection method, using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). ddPCR was evaluated against cPCR and blood smears. PCR amplicons and genomic DNA (gDNA) from 12 microscopic positive samples were used to identify the limits of detection (LODs) in ddPCR and cPCR. Our ddPCR was assessed in 92 field samples, it was compared with cPCR and blood smears. ddPCR showed LOD = 1.6 copies/reaction, or 78 times more sensitive than cPCR (LOD = 126 copies/reaction), using PCR amplicons as a template, whereas both ddPCR and cPCR had equal LODs at 0.02 ng gDNA/reaction. In addition, ddPCR had 100% sensitivity and 75% specificity for E. canis detection compared to cPCR and no cross-reaction with other blood pathogens was observed. ddPCR identified more positive samples than cPCR and blood smear. ddPCR improved the overall performance of E. canis detection, with a better LOD and comparable sensitivity and specificity to cPCR. The technique might be helpful for diagnosis of E. canis in light infection, evaluating the number of E. canis and follow-up after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakulchit Wichianchot
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University
| | | | - Cherdsak Maneeruttanarungroj
- Department of Biology, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.,Bioenergy Research Unit, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
| | - Somchai Pinlaor
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
| | - Kantapong Iamrod
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University
| | - Andaman Purisarn
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University
| | - Peerawich Donthaisong
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne.,University of Nicosia Medical School, Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences
| | - Burin Nimsuphan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University
| | - Rucksak Rucksaken
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University
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Sumpavong P, Sricharern W, Inthong N, Kaewmongkol G, Kaewmongkol S. Systematic evaluation of TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the dsb and gltA loci of Ehrlichia canis in recombinant plasmids and naturally infected dogs. Vet World 2022; 15:701-706. [PMID: 35497947 PMCID: PMC9047146 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.701-706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Because of the diversity of local genotypes of Ehrlichia canis, genes targeted by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays should be systematically evaluated. This study evaluated the amplification efficiency, linearity, precision, and sensitivity of two TaqMan RT-PCR assays targeting the dsb and gltA loci of E. canis in recombinant plasmids and naturally infected dogs.
Materials and Methods: Thirty blood samples were collected from dogs showing clinical signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis at the Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The dsb and gltA genes were amplified by conventional PCRs (cPCRs) on the blood samples and were then sequenced. Meanwhile, RT-PCR was used to detect dsb and gltA genes in 10-fold dilutions of the recombinant plasmids.
Results: Both dsb and gltA were amplified with a high degree of linearity (R2≥0.975 and 0.993, respectively) in all dilutions, although the mean percentage of relative standard deviation of gltA was lower, but the difference was non-significant. The detection limits of RT-PCR and cPCR were 10–7 and 10–6, respectively, for both loci. RT-PCR targeting dsb (22/30; 73.3%) and gltA (15/30; 50%) yielded a number of positive results that did not differ significantly (p=0.06). The RT-PCR positive results of the dsb gene (22/30) differed significantly from that of cPCR (11/30) (p=0.004). In contrast, the RT-PCR positive results of the gltA gene (15/30) did not differ significantly from that of cPCR (12/30) (p=0.43). The mean Ct value (30.2) based on dsb RT-PCR of 22 positive cases was higher than that of gltA RT-PCR (Ct=27.4) on 15 positive cases. The Ct values from dsb RT-PCR were >30 in all seven discordant samples that were not detected by the gltA RT-PCR.
Conclusion: RT-PCR targeting the dsb gene was more sensitive for detecting E. canis in naturally infected dogs. This study suggested that TaqMan RT-PCR of the dsb gene should be selected for E. canis research in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peeravit Sumpavong
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanat Sricharern
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Natnaree Inthong
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Gunn Kaewmongkol
- Department of Companion Animals Clincial Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sarawan Kaewmongkol
- Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Oxidative Stress Evaluation in Dogs Affected with Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020328. [PMID: 35204210 PMCID: PMC8868293 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the concentration of reactive oxidative metabolites (R-OOHs), the antioxidant barrier (OXY), and the ratio between R-OOHs and OXY (OSi) and thiol groups of plasma compounds (SHp) in in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Thirty dogs affected with monocytic ehrlichiosis (canine monocytic ehrlichiosis group—CME group) and ten healthy dogs (control group—CTR group) were evaluated. CME was diagnosed by the presence of clinical signs and the detection of anti-Ehlichia canis antibodies. Oxidative stress parameters of two groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Spearman rank correlation was performed to analyze oxidative stress, and hematological and biochemical variables in the CME group. All dogs affected with CME showed a wide spectrum of clinical signs such as lethargy, anorexia, fever, weight loss, lymph adenomegaly, splenomegaly, subcutaneous and mucosal petechial and ecchymosis, and vomiting. Anaemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia and an increase of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are also detected. Results showed significantly lower values of SHp in the CME group than in CTR. A statistically significant difference in the number of white blood cells, platelets, and blood urea nitrogen concentration was assayed comparing to the two groups. A negative correlation between SHp and hemoglobin concentration was recorded. These preliminary results may suggest a possible function of oxidative stress in the onset of clinical signs during the course of CME.
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El Hamiani Khatat S, Daminet S, Duchateau L, Elhachimi L, Kachani M, Sahibi H. Epidemiological and Clinicopathological Features of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Dogs: A Systematic Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:686644. [PMID: 34250067 PMCID: PMC8260688 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.686644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by Ixodid ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates of A. phagocytophilum in Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially with Borrelia burgdorferi, complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah El Hamiani Khatat
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Sylvie Daminet
- Department of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Duchateau
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Latifa Elhachimi
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Unit of Parasitology, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Malika Kachani
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Hamid Sahibi
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Unit of Parasitology, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
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11
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Moore AR, Harris RA, Jeffries C, Ashton L, Avery PR. Diagnostic performance of routine electrophoresis and immunofixation for the detection of immunoglobulin paraproteins (M-Proteins) in dogs with multiple myeloma and related disorders: Part 2-Toward improved diagnostic performance. Vet Clin Pathol 2021; 50:249-258. [PMID: 33855710 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic performance of routine electrophoresis (agarose gel electrophoresis [AGE] and capillary zone electrophoresis [CZE]) and species-specific immunofixation (IF) for the detection of immunoglobulin paraproteins (M-proteins) and diagnosis of secretory myeloma-related disorders (sMRD) can be improved. Available canine IF targets were IgG-FC, IgA, IgM, light chain (LC), IgG4, and free LC (fLC) antibodies. OBJECTIVE We aimed to review specific features associated with the presence of M-proteins in canine serum samples and the common features causing inaccurate reporting of M-proteins to improve the diagnostic performance of routine electrophoresis and IF for the detection of M-proteins. METHODS Features found in AGE, CZE, routine IF, IgG4 IF, and fLC IF of 100 canine serum samples from Part 1 of this study were evaluated by simple and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with the presence of M-proteins. Cases falsely called negative or positive for M-proteins were reviewed to identify the common features that could be used to increase the diagnostic performance of SPE and IF for M-protein detection. RESULTS The presence of hypogammaglobulinemia or any peak taller than albumin was associated with an M-protein. Total protein concentrations, globulin concentrations, or peaks wider than albumin were not associated with an M-protein. Free LC sMRD cases were not diagnosed by SPE and routine IF. Cases with infectious and inflammatory etiologies had a restricted polyclonal gammopathy with multiple γ-globulin restrictions resulting in some false-positive results. SPE combined with all available IF results and the specific features identified in this study had an estimated sensitivity of 95.1% and specificity of 81.4%. CONCLUSIONS The identified criteria of this study increase the diagnostic performance of the electrophoretic evaluation for M-proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Russell Moore
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - R Adam Harris
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Christina Jeffries
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Laura Ashton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Paul R Avery
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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12
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Oliveira VDC, Junior AAVM, Ferreira LC, Calvet TMQ, dos Santos SA, Figueiredo FB, Campos MP, Rodrigues FDCDC, de Oliveira RDVC, de Lemos ERS, Rozental T, da Silva RG, Amendoeira MRR, Teles-de-Freitas R, Bruno RV, Morgado FN, Miranda LDFC, Menezes RC. Frequency of co-seropositivities for certain pathogens and their relationship with clinical and histopathological changes and parasite load in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247560. [PMID: 33705437 PMCID: PMC7951870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In canine leishmaniosis caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum, little is known about how co-infections with or co-seropositivities for other pathogens can influence aggravation of this disease. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of co-infections with or co-seropositivities for certain pathogens in dogs seropositive for L. infantum and their relationship with clinical signs, histological changes and L. infantum load. Sixty-six L. infantum-seropositive dogs were submitted to clinical examination, collection of blood and bone marrow, culling, and necropsy. Antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia spp. and Toxoplasma gondii and Dirofilaria immitis antigens were investigated in serum. Samples from different tissues were submitted to histopathology and immunohistochemistry for the detection of Leishmania spp. and T. gondii. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess the L. infantum load in spleen samples. For detection of Coxiella burnetii, conventional PCR and nested PCR were performed using bone marrow samples. All 66 dogs tested positive for L. infantum by qPCR and/or culture. Fifty dogs (76%) were co-seropositive for at least one pathogen: T. gondii (59%), Ehrlichia spp., (41%), and Anaplasma spp. (18%). Clinical signs were observed in 15 (94%) dogs monoinfected with L. infantum and in 45 (90%) dogs co-seropositive for certain pathogens. The L. infantum load in spleen and skin did not differ significantly between monoinfected and co-seropositive dogs. The number of inflammatory cells was higher in the spleen, lung and mammary gland of co-seropositive dogs and in the mitral valve of monoinfected dogs. These results suggest that dogs infected with L. infantum and co-seropositive for certain pathogens are common in the region studied. However, co-seropositivities for certain pathogens did not aggravate clinical signs or L. infantum load, although they were associated with a more intense inflammatory reaction in some organs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luiz Claudio Ferreira
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Shanna Araujo dos Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tatiana Rozental
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rafaela Vieira Bruno
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM)/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Caldas Menezes
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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13
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Di Dona F, Gomes SA, Andriuc RA, Garosi LS, Tauro A. Magnetic resonance findings of meningoencephalitis in a dog seroreactive to
Ehrlichia canis
in United Kingdom. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laurent S. Garosi
- Chestergates Veterinary Specialists Chester UK
- VetOracle Teleneurology Norfolk UK
| | - Anna Tauro
- Chestergates Veterinary Specialists Chester UK
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Qurollo BA, Stillman BA, Beall MJ, Foster P, Hegarty BC, Breitschwerdt EB, Chandrashekar R. Comparison of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species-specific peptide ELISAs with whole organism-based immunofluorescent assays for serologic diagnosis of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs. Am J Vet Res 2020; 82:71-80. [PMID: 33369490 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.82.1.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of 5 synthetic peptide-based ELISAs with that of 3 commercially available immunofluorescent assays (IFAs) for serologic diagnosis of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs. SAMPLE A convenience set of 109 serum samples obtained before and at various times after inoculation for 23 dogs that were experimentally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, or Ehrlichia ewingii and 1 uninfected control dog in previous studies. PROCEDURES All serum samples were assessed with 5 synthetic peptide-based ELISAs designed to detect antibodies against A phagocytophilum, A platys, E canis, E chaffeensis, and E ewingii and 3 whole organism-based IFAs designed to detect antibodies against A phagocytophilum, E canis, and E chaffeensis. The species-specific seroreactivity, cross-reactivity with the other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each assay and compared among assays. RESULTS All serum samples obtained from dogs experimentally infected with a TBP yielded positive results on a serologic assay specific for that pathogen. In general, sensitivity was comparable between ELISAs and IFAs and tended to increase with duration after inoculation. Compared with the IFAs, the corresponding ELISAs were highly specific and rarely cross-reacted with antibodies against other TBPs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that peptide-based ELISAs had enhanced specificity relative to whole organism-based IFAs for detection of antibodies against Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp, which should facilitate accurate diagnosis and may help detect dogs coinfected with multiple TBPs.
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15
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Thongsahuan S, Chethanond U, Wasiksiri S, Saechan V, Thongtako W, Musikacharoen T. Hematological profile of blood parasitic infected dogs in Southern Thailand. Vet World 2020; 13:2388-2394. [PMID: 33363331 PMCID: PMC7750225 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2388-2394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Tick-borne pathogens such as Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, and Ehrlichia canis can cause serious disease in canines. Each blood parasite can be associated with different hematological characteristics in infected dogs. Identification of hematological alterations during routine laboratory screening of blood samples from dogs displaying clinical signs is essential for diagnosing blood parasitic infections. This study aimed to evaluate parasitic infections and hematological alterations in blood samples of infected dogs in Southern Thailand. Materials and Methods: A total of 474 blood samples were collected from dogs presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Prince of Songkla University between 2016 and 2019. An automatic hematology analyzer was used to establish hematological values; peripheral blood films were screened for blood parasites and their detection was associated with hematological alterations to determine the odds ratio (OR). Results: This study found that E. canis (n=127) was the most common blood parasite infecting dogs in southern Thailand, followed by H. canis (n=100) and B. canis (n=24). Hematological alterations caused by Ehrlichia infections included anemia, thrombocytopenia, monocytosis, and eosinophilia (OR=14.64, 17.63, 20.34, and 13.43, respectively; p<0.01). The blood samples of Hepatozoon-infected dogs were characterized by anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and monocytosis (OR=6.35, 3.16, 12.80, 11.11, and 17.37, respectively; p<0.01). Anemia, thrombocytopenia, eosinopenia, and lymphopenia (OR=10.09, 33.00, 20.02, and 66.47 respectively; p<0.01) were associated with B. canis-infected dogs. Conclusion: These data support the fact that hematological abnormalities are a hallmark for the identification of tick-borne infections. The hematological values, hereby reported, can be used as a guideline for the clinical diagnosis of canine blood parasitic infections in Southern Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorawat Thongsahuan
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Usa Chethanond
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Siriwat Wasiksiri
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Vannarat Saechan
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Wichaya Thongtako
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
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16
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Rodríguez-Alarcón CA, Beristain-Ruiz DM, Olivares-Muñoz A, Quezada-Casasola A, Pérez-Casio F, Álvarez-Martínez JA, Tapia-Alanís J, Lira-Amaya JJ, Rivera-Barreno R, Cera-Hurtado OS, Ibancovichi-Camarillo JA, Soon-Gómez L, Adame-Gallegos JR, Figueroa-Millán JV. Demonstrating the presence of Ehrlichia canis DNA from different tissues of dogs with suspected subclinical ehrlichiosis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:518. [PMID: 33059758 PMCID: PMC7561240 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04363-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nowadays, Ehrlichia canis receives increasing attention because of its great morbidity and mortality in animals. Dogs in the subclinical and chronic phases can be asymptomatic, and serological tests show cross-reactivity and fail to differentiate between current and past infections. Moreover, there could be low parasitaemia, and E. canis might be found only in target organs, hence causing results to be negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples. Methods We evaluated by PCR the prevalence of E. canis in blood, liver, spleen, lymph node and bone marrow samples of 59 recently euthanised dogs that had ticks but were clinically healthy. Results In total, 52.55% of the blood PCRs for E. canis were negative, yet 61.30% yielded positive results from tissue biopsies and were as follows: 63.15% from bone marrow; 52.63% from liver; 47.36% from spleen; and 15.78% from lymph node. In addition, 33% had infection in three tissues (spleen, liver and bone marrow). Conclusions Our results show the prevalence of E. canis from tissues of dogs that were negative by blood PCR. Ehrlichia canis DNA in tissue was 30% lower in dogs that tested negative in PCR of blood samples compared to those that were positive. However, it must be taken into account that some dogs with negative results were positive for E. canis in other tissues.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Rodríguez-Alarcón
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México
| | - Diana M Beristain-Ruiz
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México.
| | - Angélica Olivares-Muñoz
- Veterinary and Zootechnic Faculty, Universidad Veracruzana, Miguel Ángel de Quevedo s/n esq. Yáñez, Col. Unidad Veracruzana, 91710, Veracruz, México
| | - Andrés Quezada-Casasola
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México
| | - Federico Pérez-Casio
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México
| | - Jesús A Álvarez-Martínez
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad. INIFAP, Km. 11.5 de la Carretera Federal Cuernavaca-Cuautla, 62550, Col. Progreso, Jiutepec, México
| | - Jane Tapia-Alanís
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México
| | - José J Lira-Amaya
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad. INIFAP, Km. 11.5 de la Carretera Federal Cuernavaca-Cuautla, 62550, Col. Progreso, Jiutepec, México
| | - Ramón Rivera-Barreno
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México
| | - Orlando S Cera-Hurtado
- Veterinary Science Department, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Anillo Envolvente y Estocolmo s/n, Zona PRONAF, 32310, Juárez, México
| | - José A Ibancovichi-Camarillo
- Department of Veterinary Anesthesia, Analgesia and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, El Cerrillo Piedras Blancas, 50090, Toluca, México
| | - Luis Soon-Gómez
- Municipal Anti-Rabies Center, Jurisdicción Sanitaria II, Servicios de Salud de Chihuahua, Calle Sevilla 4241, Colonia San Antonio, 32250, Juárez, México
| | - Jaime R Adame-Gallegos
- Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Campus 2, Circuito Universitario s/n, 31125, Chihuahua, México
| | - Julio V Figueroa-Millán
- CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad. INIFAP, Km. 11.5 de la Carretera Federal Cuernavaca-Cuautla, 62550, Col. Progreso, Jiutepec, México
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Jimenez IA, Vega Mariño PA, Stapleton GS, Prieto JB, Bowman DD. Canine vector-borne disease in domestic dogs on Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 19:100373. [PMID: 32057400 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases result in significant morbidity and mortality in domestic dogs in tropical and subtropical regions and also pose a potential threat to wildlife species and humans. Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), has a high reported seroprevalence in dogs on Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Veterinary diagnostic and treatment resources are often scarce and clinical follow-up is lacking in the Galápagos. This study evaluated 58 dogs presenting to the Darwin Animal Doctors clinic in the city of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island during August of 2018. The seroprevalence of E. canis/Ehrlichia ewingii (48.3%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys (12.1%), and Borrelia burgdorferi (0%), as well as the proportion of dogs actively infected with E. canis (12.1%) and E. ewingii (0%), are reported. Active infection was defined as the identification of antigen by PCR. Dogs with a packed cell volume (PCV) ≤ 30% had a 10-fold risk of active infection with E. canis compared to dogs with a PCV ≥ 31% (p = .0124). A PCV cutoff of 30% may be a useful screening tool for active E. canis infection in regions with high Ehrlichia seroprevalence, in the absence of other apparent causes of anemia. Dirofilaria immitis antigen was present in 6.9% of examined dogs, with the highest prevalence in the barrio Las Ninfas. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to provide the first molecular identification of D. immitis in the Galápagos. This study updates the seropositivity and prevalence data of these canine vector-borne pathogens and highlights the need for continued surveillance in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Angelica Jimenez
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 602 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States of America; Animal Medical Center, 510 E. 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065, United States of America.
| | - Patricio Alejandro Vega Mariño
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Avenida Baltra, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos 200102, Ecuador
| | - G Sean Stapleton
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 602 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Battista Prieto
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 602 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States of America
| | - Dwight Douglas Bowman
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 602 Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States of America
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18
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Maggi RG, Krämer F. A review on the occurrence of companion vector-borne diseases in pet animals in Latin America. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:145. [PMID: 30917860 PMCID: PMC6438007 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are an important threat for pet life, but may also have an impact on human health, due to their often zoonotic character. The importance and awareness of CVBDs continuously increased during the last years. However, information on their occurrence is often limited in several parts of the world, which are often especially affected. Latin America (LATAM), a region with large biodiversity, is one of these regions, where information on CVBDs for pet owners, veterinarians, medical doctors and health workers is often obsolete, limited or non-existent. In the present review, a comprehensive literature search for CVBDs in companion animals (dogs and cats) was performed for several countries in Central America (Belize, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico) as well as in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana (British Guyana), Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela) regarding the occurrence of the following parasitic and bacterial diseases: babesiosis, heartworm disease, subcutaneous dirofilariosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniosis, trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, mycoplasmosis and rickettsiosis. An overview on the specific diseases, followed by a short summary on their occurrence per country is given. Additionally, a tabular listing on positive or non-reported occurrence is presented. None of the countries is completely free from CVBDs. The data presented in the review confirm a wide distribution of the CVBDs in focus in LATAM. This wide occurrence and the fact that most of the CVBDs can have a quite severe clinical outcome and their diagnostic as well as therapeutic options in the region are often difficult to access and to afford, demands a strong call for the prevention of pathogen transmission by the use of ectoparasiticidal and anti-feeding products as well as by performing behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo G. Maggi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Friederike Krämer
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Serological Survey of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Dogs from Central Italy: An Update (2013⁻2017). Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8010003. [PMID: 30621134 PMCID: PMC6471581 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are tick-borne bacteria of veterinary concern. Indirect immunofluorescent assay was carried out to detect antibodies against E. canis and A. phagocytophilum in 1026 owned dogs living in Central Italy during the period 2013–2017. One hundred and eighty-six (18.12%) dogs were positive for at least one pathogen and 14 (1.36%) for both agents. More in detail, 166 (16.18%) samples were positive for E. canis and 34 (3.31%) for A. phagocytophilum. No statistically significant differences in the seroprevalence values related to gender were detected, whereas the highest rate to E. canis occurred in animals aged more than 10 years. Mean seroprevalence values for both E. canis and A. phagocytophilum detected in 2014 and 2015 were statistically higher with respect to other years. Even though dogs’ owners are informed about the risk of pet infections by tick-borne pathogens and prophylaxis against ticks is often executed, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum are still present and infect the canine population in Central Italy.
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20
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Azhahianambi P, G J, GR B, M A, R RN, Latha BR, M R. Evaluation of multiplex PCR assay for detection of Babesia spp, Ehrlichia canis and Trypanosoma evansi in dogs. Acta Trop 2018; 188:58-67. [PMID: 30157416 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A multiplex PCR test was evaluated to detect the DNA of three important dog haemoparasites by comparing with singular PCR counterpart on clinical blood samples of dogs in and around Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Initial screening of samples was done by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smear and singular PCR and those found exclusively positive for Babesia spp, Ehrlichia canis and Trypanosoma evansi and concurrent infections were used to standardize multiplex PCR. Amplicons of 619 bp, 377 bp and 227 bp corresponding to Babesia spp (18S rRNA gene), E. canis (VirB9 gene), and T.evansi (VSG gene) respectively were amplified, without any non-specific amplification. The laboratory sensitivity (91.7% to 100%) and specificity (100%) of the multiplex PCR were calculated using 'true positive' and 'true negative' dog blood samples obtained in the initial screening process. Clinical blood samples from 287 dogs were screened using singular PCR and multiplex PCR tests for the presence of genome of Babesia spp, E. canis and T. evansi. The multiplex PCR was found to have high level of diagnostic specificity (97.5%-100%) in the detection of all three dog blood parasites and high level of diagnostic sensitivity (95%) in the detection of T. evansi from field level clinical blood samples compared to the singular PCR. However, the diagnostic sensitivity of the multiplex PCR was found to be low to moderate (40.45%-66.7%) in detection of Babesia spp and E. canis from field level clinical blood samples. The strength of agreement between singular and multiplex PCR assays was 'moderate' (0.445), 'good' (0.708) and 'very good' (0.968) in detection of DNA of Babesia spp, E. canis and T. evansi. The multiplex PCR was found to be 10 fold less sensitive in comparison with the singular PCR counterpart.
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Baxarias M, Álvarez-Fernández A, Martínez-Orellana P, Montserrat-Sangrà S, Ordeix L, Rojas A, Nachum-Biala Y, Baneth G, Solano-Gallego L. Does co-infection with vector-borne pathogens play a role in clinical canine leishmaniosis? Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:135. [PMID: 29554918 PMCID: PMC5859550 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2724-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severity of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum might be affected by other vector-borne organisms that mimic its clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities. The aim of this study was to determine co-infections with other vector-borne pathogens based on serological and molecular techniques in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis living in Spain and to associate them with clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities as well as disease severity. METHODS Sixty-one dogs with clinical leishmaniosis and 16 apparently healthy dogs were tested for Rickettsia conorii, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella henselae antigens by the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and for E. canis, Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and filarioid DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS Among the dogs examined by IFAT, the seroprevalences were: 69% for R. conorii, 57% for E. canis, 44% for A. phagocytophilum and 37% for B. henselae; while the prevalences found by PCR were: 8% for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, 3% for Anaplasma platys and 1% for H. canis. No other pathogen DNA was detected. Statistical association was found between dogs with clinical leishmaniosis and seroreactivity to R. conorii antigen (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.025, OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 1-17) and A. phagocytophilum antigen (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.002, OR = 14.3, 95% CI = 2-626) and being positive to more than one serological or molecular tests (co-infections) (Mann-Whitney test: U = 243, Z = -2.6, n 1 = 14, n 2 = 61, P = 0.01) when compared with healthy dogs. Interestingly, a statistical association was found between the presence of R. conorii, E. canis, A. phagocytophilum and B. henselae antibodies in sick dogs and some clinicopathological abnormalities such as albumin and albumin/globulin ratio decrease and increase in serum globulins. Furthermore, seroreactivity with A. phagocytophilum antigens was statistically associated with CanL clinical stages III and IV. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that dogs with clinical leishmaniosis from Catalonia (Spain) have a higher rate of co-infections with other vector-borne pathogens when compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, positivity to some vector-borne pathogens was associated with more marked clinicopathological abnormalities as well as disease severity with CanL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Baxarias
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alejandra Álvarez-Fernández
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Pamela Martínez-Orellana
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sara Montserrat-Sangrà
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laura Ordeix
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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Mylonakis ME, Theodorou KN. Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/acve-2017-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease of worldwide distribution. The major causative agent is Ehrlichia canis, a gram-negative, obligate intracellular, pleomorphic bacterium of the genus Ehrlichia, which infects monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes, forming intracytoplasmic, membrane-bound bacterial aggregates, called morulae. After an incubation period of 8-20 days, the course of E. canis infection, can be sequentially divided into acute, subclinical and chronic phases, although these phases can hardly be distinguished in the clinical setting. Clinical recovery is the typical outcome of acutely infected dogs, entering the subclinical phase, during which they show no or minimal clinical signs and/or mild hematological abnormalities. Immunocompetent dogs may eliminate the infection during the acute or subclinical phases, but an unpredictable proportion of dogs will eventually develop the chronic phase, characterized by aplastic pancytopenia and high mortality, due to septicemia and/or severe bleeding. This article outlines briefly the pathogenesis of CME due to E. canis, and more thoroughly reviews the recent scientific literature pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathios E. Mylonakis
- Konstantina N. Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Konstantina N. Theodorou
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki , Greece
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Bogićević N, Radovanović ME, Vasić A, Manić M, Marić J, Vojinović D, Rogožarski D, Gligić A, Valčić M. Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia Canis Infection in Stray Dogs from Serbia. MACEDONIAN VETERINARY REVIEW 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/macvetrev-2016-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease with worldwide distribution. With regards to the population of stray dogs, the disease is facilitated due to their lifestyle and the lack of anti-parasitic protection. The aim of this study was to provide serological data on the presence of a specific Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies in stray dogs, originating from 7 municipalities in Serbia. During the period from April 2013 to June 2014, 217 canine sera were submitted to the laboratory of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Animals and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Belgrade. An immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed to detect antibodies to Ehrlichia canis (cut off, 1:50). Seropositive dogs were found in 5 out of 7 counties with a seroprevalence varying from 3.57% to 20% and an overall seroprevalence of 11.06% (24/217). There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of infection and the host age or gender. Results showed that stray dogs contribute to maintaining and spreading of Ehrlichia canis in Serbia. Due to the close relationship between people and dogs, it is of great importance to constantly monitor and improve prevention of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Bogićević
- Department of Infectious Diseases of Animals and Bees , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Belgrade , Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Milica Elezović Radovanović
- Department of Infectious Diseases of Animals and Bees , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Belgrade , Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Ana Vasić
- Department of Infectious Diseases of Animals and Bees , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Belgrade , Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Marija Manić
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology , Specialized Veterinary Institute “Niš” , Milke Protić 66, 18106 Niš , Serbia
| | - Jovan Marić
- Department of Infectious Diseases of Animals and Bees , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Belgrade , Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Dragica Vojinović
- Department of Immunology, Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia , Vojvode Toze 14, Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Dragan Rogožarski
- Department for Animal Health Care, Specialized Veterinary Institute – Požarevac Dunavska 89, 12000 Požarevac , Serbia
| | - Ana Gligić
- Institute of Virology , Vaccines and Sera „Torlak“, Vojvode Stepe 458, 11152 Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Miroslav Valčić
- Department of Infectious Diseases of Animals and Bees , Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Belgrade , Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade , Serbia
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Wang J, Zhang Y, Wang X, Cui Y, Yan Y, Wang R, Jian F, Zhang L, Ning C. A Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay Targeting 16S rRNA Gene for Rapid Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Sheep and Goats. J Parasitol 2017; 103:187-192. [PMID: 28118097 DOI: 10.1645/16-158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a zoonotic pathogen and the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and tick-borne fever in various kinds of animals. In the present study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of A. phagocytophilum was developed using primers specific to 16S rRNA gene of this organism. The LAMP assay was performed at 65 C for 60 min and terminated at 80 C for 10 min. The optimal reaction conditions under which no cross-reaction was observed with other closely related tick-borne parasites ( Anaplasma bovis , Anaplasma ovis , Theileria luwenshuni, Babesia motasi, and Schistosoma japonicum ) were established. The assay exhibited much higher sensitivity compared with conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (1 copy vs. 1,000 copies). To evaluate the applicability of the LAMP assay, 94 field samples of sheep blood were analyzed for A. phagocytophilum infection by using LAMP, nested PCR, and conventional PCR assays at the same time. A positive LAMP result was obtained from 53 (56.4%) of the 94 samples, whereas only 12 (12.8%) and 3 (3.2%) tested positive by nested and conventional PCR, respectively. In conclusion, this LAMP assay is a specific, sensitive, and rapid method for the detection of A. phagocytophilum in sheep/goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xiaoxing Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yanyan Cui
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yaqun Yan
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Rongjun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Changshen Ning
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
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Associated Factors to Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. in Dogs of Quintana Roo, Mexico. J Trop Med 2016; 2016:4109467. [PMID: 28096818 PMCID: PMC5209617 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4109467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence to Ehrlichia spp. in dogs from Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and the associated factors. Serum samples were obtained from 118 dogs and used in an indirect immunofluorescent assay test for the detection of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about possible variables associated with seroprevalence. These variables were analyzed through Chi2 test and logistic regression. Dog seroprevalence of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. was 64% (75/118). Fifty-two percent (61/118) of dogs had tick infestation which was identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Anemia was observed in 36% of dogs. Leucopenia (2.5%), thrombocytopenia (70%), and hemorrhage (14%) were also observed. Thirty-one percent (23/75) of dogs with anemia, 4% (3/75) of dogs with leucopenia, 80% (60/75) of dogs with thrombocytopenia, 17% (13/75) of dogs with hemorrhages, and 59% (44/75) of dogs with ticks were positive for Ehrlichia spp. antibodies. The factors associated with seroprevalence were age (1–3 and >3 years old, OR = 7.77 and OR = 15.39, resp.), tick infestation (OR = 3.13), and thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.36). In conclusion, seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. was high in the community of Xcalak and its associated factors were age, tick infestation, and thrombocytopenia.
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Toom MLD, Dobak TP, Broens EM, Valtolina C. Interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension associated with suspected ehrlichiosis in a dog. Acta Vet Scand 2016; 58:46. [PMID: 27388158 PMCID: PMC4937533 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-016-0228-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In dogs with canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), respiratory signs are uncommon and clinical and radiographic signs of interstitial pneumonia are poorly described. However, in human monocytic ehrlichiosis, respiratory signs are common and signs of interstitial pneumonia are well known. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is classified based on the underlying disease and its treatment is aimed at reducing the clinical signs and, if possible, addressing the primary disease process. PH is often irreversible, but can be reversible if it is secondary to a treatable underlying etiology. CME is currently not generally recognized as one of the possible diseases leading to interstitial pneumonia and secondary PH in dogs. Only one case of PH associated with CME has been reported worldwide. Case presentation A seven-year-old, male intact, mixed breed dog was presented with 2 weeks history of lethargy and dyspnea. The dog previously lived in the Cape Verdean islands. Physical examination showed signs of right-sided congestive heart failure and poor peripheral perfusion. Thoracic radiography showed moderate right-sided cardiomegaly with dilation of the main pulmonary artery and a mild diffuse interstitial lung pattern with peribronchial cuffing. Echocardiography showed severe pulmonary hypertension with an estimated pressure gradient of 136 mm Hg. On arterial blood gas analysis, severe hypoxemia was found and complete blood count revealed moderate regenerative anemia and severe thrombocytopenia. A severe gamma hyperglobulinemia was also documented. Serology for Ehrlichia canis was highly positive. Treatment with oxygen supplementation, a typed packed red blood cell transfusion and medical therapy with doxycycline, pimobendan and sildenafil was initiated and the dog improved clinically. Approximately 2 weeks later, there was complete resolution of all clinical signs and marked improvement of the PH. Conclusion This report illustrates that CME might be associated with significant pulmonary disease and should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with dyspnea and secondary pulmonary hypertension, especially in dogs that have been in endemic areas. This is important because CME is a treatable disease and its secondary lung and cardiac manifestations may be completely reversible.
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Bouzouraa T, René-Martellet M, Chêne J, Attipa C, Lebert I, Chalvet-Monfray K, Cadoré JL, Halos L, Chabanne L. Clinical and laboratory features of canine Anaplasma platys infection in 32 naturally infected dogs in the Mediterranean basin. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1256-1264. [PMID: 27426437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Since the first description of Anaplasma platys Infection (ApI), the disease has been sporadically reported worldwide. Whereas it is considered a subclinical disease in the United States or in Australia, severe cases are reported in Europe. Thus far, little information is available regarding the clinical and laboratory findings associated with the disease and the implication of co-infections with other vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in Southern Europe. The purpose of the study was to describe clinical and laboratory findings in PCR-confirmed naturally infected dogs in the Mediterranean Basin, and to assess the potential impact of co-infections with other VBPs. This is a retrospective analysis of medical records from 32 client-owned dogs diagnosed with ApI using PCR-based assays. Anorexia (62.5%) and weight loss (43.8%) were the major changes, whereas lethargy was less frequent (34.4%). Lymphadenomegaly (43.8%), hyperthermia (40.6%) and hemorrhage (37.5%) were frequent clinical abnormalities, whereas cutaneous signs (31.3%), musculoskeletal disorders (21.9%), splenomegaly (15.6%), dehydration and ocular inflammation (12.5%) were less common. Hematological abnormalities included thrombocytopenia (81.0%), anemia (81.0%), leukocytosis (33.3%) and leucopenia (23.8%). Seven dogs (33.3%) were severely thrombocytopenic. Among the 28 dogs with complete testing, 15 and 13 were mono- and co-infected, respectively. Co-infections included Ehrlichia canis (3 dogs), Leishmania infantum (4), Babesia vogeli (2) and Hepatozoon canis (5). One dog was infected concurrently with Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli. The 1-month mortality rate was 23.9% and only 38.1% improved. In the univariate analysis the 15 mono- and the 13 co-infected dogs did not differ regarding the relative frequencies of clinical and laboratory findings. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses suggested the existence of 2 different groups of strains: one of them might have higher pathogenicity. In all, ApI was associated with a wide variety of non-specific clinical findings. The most common laboratory findings were thrombocytopenia and anemia. Co-infections were frequent but appeared of limited clinical impact. The absence of improvement despite appropriate treatment, high frequency of hemorrhagic disorders, and case fatalities, suggested the existence of pathogenic European strains supported by subsequent molecular analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Bouzouraa
- Service de Médecine Interne, VetAgro Sup Campus vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy l'Étoile, France.
| | - Magalie René-Martellet
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, VetAgro Sup Campus vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L'Etoile, France; Unité d'Épidémiologie Animale (EpiA, UR 0346), INRA Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Route de Theix, 63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Jeanne Chêne
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, VetAgro Sup Campus vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L'Etoile, France.
| | - Charalampos Attipa
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Langford Veterinary Services, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, BS40 5DU Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - Isabelle Lebert
- Unité d'Épidémiologie Animale (EpiA, UR 0346), INRA Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Route de Theix, 63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Karine Chalvet-Monfray
- Unité d'Épidémiologie Animale (EpiA, UR 0346), INRA Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Route de Theix, 63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France; Département des biologies fonctionnelles, biostatistiques, VetAgro Sup Campus vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy l'Étoile, France.
| | - Jean-Luc Cadoré
- Service de Médecine Interne, VetAgro Sup Campus vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy l'Étoile, France.
| | - Lenaig Halos
- Merial S.A.S, 29 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France.
| | - Luc Chabanne
- Service de Médecine Interne, VetAgro Sup Campus vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 1 Avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy l'Étoile, France; Unité d'Épidémiologie Animale (EpiA, UR 0346), INRA Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Route de Theix, 63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
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López L, Venteo A, Aguirre E, García M, Rodríguez M, Amusátegui I, Tesouro MA, Vela C, Sainz A, Rueda P. Development of a Sensitive and Specific Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Based on a Baculovirus Recombinant Antigen for Detection of Specific Antibodies against Ehvlichia Canis. J Vet Diagn Invest 2016; 19:635-42. [DOI: 10.1177/104063870701900604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on baculovirus recombinant P30 protein of Ehrlichia canis and the 1BH4 anticanine IgG monoclonal antibody was developed and evaluated by examining a panel of 98 positive and 157 negative sera using the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test as the reference technique. The P30-based ELISA appeared to be sensitive and specific (77.55% and 95.54%, respectively) when qualitative results (positive/negative) were compared with those of the IFA test; the coefficient of correlation (R) between the 2 tests was 0.833. Furthermore, it was possible to establish a mathematical formula for use in comparing the results of both techniques. These results indicate that recombinant P30 antigen-based ELISA is a suitable alternative of the IFA test for simple, consistent, and rapid serodiagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis. Moreover, the use of this recombinant protein as antigen offers a great advantage for antigen preparation in comparison with other techniques in which the whole E. canis organism is used as antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissett López
- From the Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Venteo
- From the Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Enara Aguirre
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marga García
- From the Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - MaJosé Rodríguez
- From the Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Amusátegui
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Tesouro
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria de León, León, Spain were equal contributors
| | - Carmen Vela
- From the Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Sainz
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria de León, León, Spain were equal contributors
| | - Paloma Rueda
- From the Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria de León, León, Spain were equal contributors
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29
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Nair ADS, Cheng C, Ganta CK, Sanderson MW, Alleman AR, Munderloh UG, Ganta RR. Comparative Experimental Infection Study in Dogs with Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, Anaplasma platys and A. phagocytophilum. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148239. [PMID: 26840398 PMCID: PMC4739612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs acquire infections with the Anaplasmataceae family pathogens, E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, A. platys and A. phagocytophilum mostly during summer months when ticks are actively feeding on animals. These pathogens are also identified as causing diseases in people. Despite the long history of tick-borne diseases in dogs, much remains to be defined pertaining to the clinical and pathological outcomes of infections with these pathogens. In the current study, we performed experimental infections in dogs with E. canis, E. chaffeensis, A. platys and A. phagocytophilum. Animals were monitored for 42 days to evaluate infection-specific clinical, hematological and pathological differences. All four pathogens caused systemic persistent infections detectible throughout the 6 weeks of infection assessment. Fever was frequently detected in animals infected with E. canis, E. chaffeensis, and A. platys, but not in dogs infected with A. phagocytophilum. Hematological differences were evident in all four infected groups, although significant overlap existed between the groups. A marked reduction in packed cell volume that correlated with reduced erythrocytes and hemoglobin was observed only in E. canis infected animals. A decline in platelet numbers was common with E. canis, A. platys and A. phagocytophilum infections. Histopathological lesions in lung, liver and spleen were observed in all four groups of infected dogs; infection with E. canis had the highest pathological scores, followed by E. chaffeensis, then A. platys and A. phagocytophilum. All four pathogens induced IgG responses starting on day 7 post infection, which was predominantly comprised of IgG2 subclass antibodies. This is the first detailed investigation comparing the infection progression and host responses in dogs after inoculation with four pathogens belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family. The study revealed a significant overlap in clinical, hematological and pathological changes resulting from the infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arathy D. S. Nair
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Chuanmin Cheng
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Chanran K. Ganta
- Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Michael W Sanderson
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Arthur R. Alleman
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ulrike G. Munderloh
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Roman R. Ganta
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Police dogs from Albania as indicators of exposure risk to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary concern. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2015; 1-2:35-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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31
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Maazi N, Malmasi A, Shayan P, Nassiri SM, Salehi TZ, Fard MS. Molecular and serological detection of Ehrlichia canis in naturally exposed dogs in Iran: an analysis on associated risk factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 23:16-22. [PMID: 24728356 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612014002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The general aim of this study, which was conducted for the first time in Iran, was to evaluate the seroprevalence and geographical distribution of Ehrlichia canis in a dog population in Iran, followed by molecular confirmation using PCR and sequencing. Blood samples were collected from 240 dogs in different areas of Alborz and Tehran Provinces and initially analyzed using the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test to detect anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies. Subsequently, nested PCR was performed based on a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of E. canis on serologically positive samples. The results showed that 40/240 dogs (16.6%) presented anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies and that nine of the blood samples from the 40 seropositive dogs (22.5%) contained E. canis DNA, which was confirmed by sequencing. The seroprevalence of E. canis tended to be higher in purebred, one to three-year-old male dogs living in the Plain zone, in rural areas; however, this difference was not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadi Maazi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolali Malmasi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Shayan
- Center for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Nassiri
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taghi Zahraei Salehi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Sharifian Fard
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
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32
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Guedes PEB, Oliveira TNDA, Carvalho FS, Carlos RSA, Albuquerque GR, Munhoz AD, Wenceslau AA, Silva FL. Canine ehrlichiosis: prevalence and epidemiology in northeast Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2015; 24:115-21. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612015030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichiosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia. The aims of this study were to detect the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in the blood of dogs in Ituberá, Bahia, and to compare the sensitivities and specificities of blood smear, serological, and molecular examinations. Furthermore, this study identified factors associated with exposure to the agent in dogs in this locality. Blood samples were collected from 379 dogs and submitted for indirect immunofluorescent assay and polymerase chain reaction testing for the detection of Ehrlichia spp. antibodies and DNA, respectively. Additionally, a peripheral blood smear was obtained from the ear tip for parasite identification. Of the 379 animals, 12.4%, 32.7%, and 25.6% were identified as positive on the blood smear, serological, and molecular tests, respectively. The dogs positive in one of the three techniques were considered exposed (46.9%). Younger dogs and rural habitat were protective factors and presence of ticks and contact with other dogs were the risk factors associated with exposure to the agent. It was concluded that dogs of Ituberá have high positivity for Ehrlichia spp. and that the diagnostic methods used for detection are complementary.
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Bhadesiya CM, Raval SK. Hematobiochemical changes in ehrlichiosis in dogs of Anand region, Gujarat. Vet World 2015; 8:713-7. [PMID: 27065635 PMCID: PMC4825270 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.713-717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The present research work was undertaken to study the diagnostic importance of hematobiochemical changes in naturally occurring ehrlichiosis in dogs of Anand region, Gujarat irrespective of their age, breed, and sex. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from a total of 29 dogs of Anand region of Gujarat state were screened for detection of anti-Ehrlichia canis antibodies using Immunocomb® rapid diagnostic kit (Biogal Galed Laboratories, Israel) and subjected to estimation of hematobiochemical parameters by auto hematology analyzers at College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand. Statistical analysis, interpretation and comparison of hematobiochemical changes with scientific literature was carried out in order to understand the pathophysiology of the disease. Results: Of 29 dogs, 18 were positive for naturally occurring ehrlichiosis based on the presence of anti-E. canis antibodies while 11 were negative. Haematology evinced that the mean values of hemoglobin, total erythrocyte counts, platelet count and packed cell volume in dogs with ehrlichiosis decreased significantly (p<0.01) in comparison to healthy dogs. Among differential leucocyte count, mean values of lymphocytes decreased, neutrophils increased, eosinophils decreased and basophils decreased significantly (p<0.05) in dogs with ehrlichiosis in comparison to healthy dogs while statistically non-significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in values of monocytes in dogs with ehrlichiosis and healthy dogs. Among various red blood cells indices, the mean values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration increased significantly (p<0.01) in dogs with ehrlichiosis in comparison to healthy dogs. Serum biochemistry revealed significant (p<0.01) increase in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and creatinine levels as well as decrease in total protein levels in dogs with ehrlichiosis as compared to healthy dogs. Conclusion: Clinical importance of hematobiochemical changes in 18 natural cases of ehrlichiosis in dogs of Anand region, Gujarat irrespective of their age, breed and sex is discussed, which would aid new insights in diagnosis and therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Bhadesiya
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - S K Raval
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India
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Parashar R, Sudan V, Jaiswal AK, Srivastava A, Shanker D. Evaluation of clinical, biochemical and haematological markers in natural infection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. J Parasit Dis 2015; 40:1351-1354. [PMID: 27876946 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-015-0688-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Caanine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis has gained wider significance owing to its potential to inflict significant deleterious effect on the health of companion animals. In the present study, 46 confirmed ehrlichiosis positive dogs were evaluated for the alterations in clinical, haematological and biochemical attributes. Depression, anorexia, pyrexia, anaemia, weakness, jaundice, melana, vomition and diarrhoea were the main clinical symptoms onserved. Haematological alterations included pancytopenia especially thrombocytopenia. Significant changes were noticed in WBC, RBC, Hgb, McHc, Platelets, ALT values while rest all the studied haematological and biochemical parameters showed non-significant alterations within normal range in comparison to normal healthy controls. The findings substantiate that ehrlichiosis cause significant clinical, haematological and biochemical alterations of the varied intensity in dogs, even with lower grades of parasitaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Parashar
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, 281001 India
| | - Vikrant Sudan
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, 281001 India
| | - Amit Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, 281001 India
| | - Ashish Srivastava
- Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, 281001 India
| | - Daya Shanker
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, 281001 India
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35
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Sainz Á, Roura X, Miró G, Estrada-Peña A, Kohn B, Harrus S, Solano-Gallego L. Guideline for veterinary practitioners on canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:75. [PMID: 25649069 PMCID: PMC4324656 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are important tick-borne diseases with a worldwide distribution. Information has been continuously collected on these infections in Europe, and publications have increased in recent years. Prevalence rates are high for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp. infections in dogs from different European countries. The goal of this article was to provide a practical guideline for veterinary practitioners on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis in dogs from Europe. This guideline is intended to answer the most common questions on these diseases from a practical point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Sainz
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Xavier Roura
- Hospital Clinic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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36
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Krawczak FDS, Reis IA, Silveira JAD, Avelar DM, Marcelino AP, Werneck GL, Labruna MB, Paz GF. Leishmania, Babesia and Ehrlichia in urban pet dogs: co-infection or cross-reaction in serological methods? Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2015; 48:64-8. [DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0291-2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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37
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Waner T, Nachum-Biala Y, Harrus S. Evaluation of a commercial in-clinic point-of-care polymerase chain reaction test for Ehrlichia canis DNA in artificially infected dogs. Vet J 2014; 202:618-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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38
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Andrić B. Diagnostic Evaluation of <i> Ehrlichia</i> <i>canis</i> Human Infections. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4236/ojmm.2014.42015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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39
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Davoust B, Parzy D, Demoncheaux JP, Tine R, Diarra M, Marié JL, Mediannikov O. Usefulness of a rapid immuno-migration test for the detection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in Africa. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 37:31-7. [PMID: 24252768 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A rapid immuno-migration test for the serological detection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, Witness® Ehrlichia (WE) (Zoetis, France), was evaluated in 528 serum samples from dogs living in endemic areas of West and East Africa: Senegal (N=208), Ivory Coast (N=7), Sudan (N=27), and Djibouti (N=286). Of these dogs, 200 were French military working dogs (MWD) temporarily residing in Africa. The WE test results were compared with those obtained by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA). The sensitivity of WE was 97% [94.2, 98.7] with a specificity of 100% [98.6, 100]. In MWD, the seroprevalence (IFA) was 7%; in native dogs, it reached 77.1%. This significant difference can be explained by prophylactic measures from which MWD benefit. The WE test represents a simple, fast and reliable test for the detection of anti-Ehrlichia canis antibodies. Its implementation for the diagnosis of clinical cases has been validated in the field, and its use allows easy detection of asymptomatic dogs that may be carriers of E. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Davoust
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE), UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198, Aix-Marseille-Université, Marseille, France; Animal Epidemiology Working Group of the Military Health Service, Toulon, France.
| | - Daniel Parzy
- UMR - MD3, Faculté de pharmacie, Aix-Marseille-Université, Marseille, France; Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Brétigny, France
| | | | - Raphaël Tine
- Veterinary Services of the National Gendarmerie, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mamadou Diarra
- Veterinary Services of the National Gendarmerie, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Jean-Lou Marié
- Animal Epidemiology Working Group of the Military Health Service, Toulon, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE), UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198, Institute of Research for the Development, Dakar, Senegal
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40
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Rufino CP, Moraes PHG, Reis T, Campos R, Aguiar DCF, McCulloch JA, Meneses AMC, Gonçalves EC. Detection of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys DNA using multiplex PCR. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:846-50. [PMID: 24107211 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We hereby propose a novel sensitive, specific, and cost-efficient method to detect Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys DNA from canine whole blood samples by multiplex PCR. Blood samples from hemoparasited dogs attending the Veterinary Hospital at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia-UFRA, Belém, Brazil, were collected in tubes containing EDTA. Amplification of E. canis and A. platys 16S rDNA by nested (n) PCR was successfully achieved by using primers specific to the Anaplasmataceae in the first round of PCR, followed by a second round of PCR using E. canis-specific primers in conjunction with A. platys-specific primers. The amplicons obtained were cloned and sequenced, yielding sequences of 478 and 473 bp (including primers) pertaining to regions of the 16S rDNA of E. canis and A. platys, respectively. The protocol we here propose may help to measure the prevalence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) and canine cyclic thrompocytopenia, not only in northern Brazil, where there is no data available, but also elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pinheiro Rufino
- 1 Laboratório de Tecnologia Biomolecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará , Cidade Universitária, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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41
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Wilson HE, Mugford AR, Humm KR, Kellett-Gregory LM. Ehrlichia canis infection in a dog with no history of travel outside the United Kingdom. J Small Anim Pract 2013; 54:425-7. [PMID: 23718904 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A two-year-old female neutered Tibetan terrier was referred following a one-month history of lethargy, inappetence and pancytopenia, which had been poorly responsive to immunosuppressive and fluoroquinolone treatment. The dog was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia and was found to be positive for Ehrlichia canis by both antibody titre measurement and polymerase chain reaction. The dog lived in London and had not travelled outside the UK. The dog was treated with doxycycline, prednisolone and ciclosporin, but died as a result of gastrointestinal tract haemorrhage. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first reported case of Ehrlichia canis in a dog in the UK with no previous travel history.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Wilson
- Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, 615 Wells Road, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 9BE, UK
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42
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Allison RW, Little SE. Diagnosis of rickettsial diseases in dogs and cats. Vet Clin Pathol 2013; 42:127-44. [DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin W. Allison
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology; Center for Veterinary Health Sciences; Oklahoma State University; Stillwater; OK; USA
| | - Susan E. Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology; Center for Veterinary Health Sciences; Oklahoma State University; Stillwater; OK; USA
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43
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Nazari M, Lim SY, Watanabe M, Sharma RSK, Cheng NABY, Watanabe M. Molecular detection of Ehrlichia canis in dogs in Malaysia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e1982. [PMID: 23301114 PMCID: PMC3536791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An epidemiological study of Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs in Peninsular Malaysia was carried out using molecular detection techniques. A total of 500 canine blood samples were collected from veterinary clinics and dog shelters. Molecular screening by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using genus-specific primers followed by PCR using E. canis species-specific primers. Ten out of 500 dogs were positive for E. canis. A phylogenetic analysis of the E. canis Malaysia strain showed that it was grouped tightly with other E. canis strains from different geographic regions. The present study revealed for the first time, the presence of genetically confirmed E. canis with a prevalence rate of 2.0% in naturally infected dogs in Malaysia. Canine vector-borne diseases are a worldwide concern particularly in the tropics and sub-tropics that provide favourable climatic conditions for the vectors. Malaysia, a tropical paradise, is thus home to a wide range of vectors as well as the pathogens that they harbor. Ehrlichia canis, a ubiquitous tick-borne pathogen of dogs, is the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, the most common clinically significant tick-borne disease of dogs in Malaysia. The pet explosion coupled with the increasing number of stray dogs, has resulted in a surge in vector-borne diseases in companion animals in Southeast Asia. Despite this, there is very little published information regarding this subject in Malaysia. There are only two published studies on E.canis in Peninsular Malaysia based on traditional light microscopic detection and antibody detection techniques. This disease has been notoriously difficult to diagnose based on the traditional methods. This research investigates this important disease of canids using molecular techniques for the first time in Malaysia providing a more accurate picture of its presence and prevalence in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Nazari
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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44
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Krawczak FDS, Labruna MB, Sangioni LA, Vogel FSF, Soares JF, Lopes STDA. Serological survey on Ehrlichia sp. among dogs in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612012005000001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A serological survey on Ehrlichia canis was conducted among dogs in the central area of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a common parasite of dogs. Out of a total of 316 dogs attended at the veterinary teaching hospital in the municipality of Santa Maria, only 14 (4.43%) reacted positively to E. canis antigens in the indirect immunofluorescence assay, with the following endpoint titers: 80 (three dogs), 160 (five), 320 (four), 640 (one) and 1280 (one). Like in previous studies in other regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, only a very small portion of the dogs in Santa Maria presented antibodies reactive to E. canis, even though canine infestations due to R. sanguineus are very common in this study region. These results contrast with other regions of Brazil, where E. canis is endemic among canine populations, with seropositivity values generally higher than 30%. Genetic differences among the R. sanguineus populations in South America might be implicated in these contrasting results.
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45
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Rudoler N, Baneth G, Eyal O, van Straten M, Harrus S. Evaluation of an attenuated strain of Ehrlichia canis as a vaccine for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Vaccine 2012; 31:226-33. [PMID: 23072894 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is an important tick-borne disease worldwide. No commercial vaccine for the disease is currently available and tick control is the main preventive measure against the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a multi-passaged attenuated strain of Ehrlichia canis to serve as a vaccine for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, and to assess the use of azithromycin in the treatment of acute ehrlichiosis. Twelve beagle dogs were divided into 3 groups of 4 dogs. Groups 1 and 2 were inoculated (vaccinated) with an attenuated strain of E. canis (#611A) twice or once, respectively. The third group consisted of naïve dogs which served as controls. All 3 groups were challenged with a wild virulent strain of E. canis by administering infected dog-blood intravenously. Transient thrombocytopenia was the only hematological abnormality observed following inoculation of dogs with the attenuated strain. Challenge with the virulent strain resulted in severe disease in all 4 control dogs while only 3 of 8 vaccinated dogs presented mild transient fever. Furthermore, the mean blood rickettsial load was significantly higher in the control group (27-92-folds higher during days 14-19 post challenge with the wild the strain) as compared to the vaccinated dogs. The use of azithromycin was assessed as a therapeutic agent for the acute disease. Four days treatment resulted in further deterioration of the clinical condition of the dogs. Molecular comparison of 4 genes known to express immunoreactive proteins and virulence factors (p30, gp19, VirB4 and VirB9) between the attenuated strain and the challenge wild strain revealed no genetic differences between the strains. The results of this study indicate that the attenuated E. canis strain may serve as an effective and secure future vaccine for canine ehrlichiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Rudoler
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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46
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Singla LD, Singh H, Kaur P, Singh ND, Singh NK, Juyal PD. Serodetection of Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs from Ludhiana district of Punjab, India. J Parasit Dis 2012; 35:195-8. [PMID: 23024503 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-011-0055-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dot-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) Immunocomb(®) assay was conducted to detect the presence of antibodies against Ehrlichia canis in blood samples of 60 privately owned dogs suspected to be infected with E. canis from the Small Animal Clinics, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab (India). Antibodies reactive to E. canis were detected in plasma in 48 samples out of 60 samples by Immunocomb(®) Dot-ELISA. Out of these 39.58% samples were low positive (Titre 1:20-1:40), 31.25% were medium positive (Titre 1:80-1:640) and 29.16% were high positive (Titre >1,280), for the infection. When examined by microscopy, only two samples revealed typical E. canis morulae. Haemato-cellular examination revealed thrombocytopenia along with anaemia and leucopenia. Results suggest that E. canis infection circulates in dogs in India in low non-detectable numbers by microscopy and is transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Singla
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, 141004 India
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47
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Rotondano TEDF, de Almeida AMP, Lustosa EMC, Cordeiro AA, Camboim EKA, de Azevedo SS, de Andrade PP, de Melo MA. An assessment of whole blood and fractions by nested PCR as a DNA source for diagnosing canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 2012:605743. [PMID: 22973174 PMCID: PMC3432355 DOI: 10.1100/2012/605743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are tick-borne diseases. Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys infect mainly white cells and platelets, respectively. The main DNA source for PCR is peripheral blood, but the potential of blood cell fractions has not been extensively investigated. This study aims at assessment of whole blood (WB) and blood fractions potential in nested PCR (nPCR) to diagnose canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified in 71.4, 17.8, 31.57, and 30% of the WB, granulocyte (G), mononuclear cells (M), and buffy coat (BC) samples. Compared to the WB, the sensitivity of the PCR was 42.86% for the M, and BC fractions, 21.43% for the G, and 33.33% for the blood clot (C). There was fair agreement between the WB and M, BC and C, and slight with the G. Fair agreement occurred between the nPCR and morulae in the blood smear. One animal was coinfected with A. platys and E. canis. This study provided the first evidence of A. platys infection in dogs in Paraíba, Brazil, and demonstrated that WB is a better DNA source than blood fractions to detect Ehrlichia and Anaplasma by nPCR, probably because of the plasma bacterial concentration following host cell lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Emmanuelle de Farias Rotondano
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenue Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50.670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
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48
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Jones DD, DeIulio GA, Winslow GM. Antigen-driven induction of polyreactive IgM during intracellular bacterial infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:1440-7. [PMID: 22730531 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Polyreactivity is well known as a property of natural IgM produced by B-1 cells. We demonstrate that polyreactive IgM is also generated during infection of mice with Ehrlichia muris, a tick-borne intracellular bacterial pathogen. The polyreactive IgM bound self and foreign Ags, including single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, insulin, thyroglobulin, LPS, influenza virus, and Borrelia burgdorferi. Production of polyreactive IgM during infection was Ag driven, not due to polyclonal B cell activation, as the majority of polyreactive IgM recognized ehrlichial Ag(s), including an immunodominant outer membrane protein. Monoclonal polyreactive IgM derived from T cell-independent spleen plasmablasts, which was germline-encoded, also bound cytoplasmic and nuclear Ags in HEp-2 cells. Polyreactive IgM protected immunocompromised mice against lethal bacterial challenge infection. Serum from human ehrlichiosis patients also contained polyreactive and self-reactive IgM. We propose that polyreactivity increases IgM efficacy during infection but may also exacerbate or mollify the response to foreign and self Ags.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek D Jones
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12201, USA
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49
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Asgarali Z, Pargass I, Adam J, Mutani A, Ezeokoli C. Haematological parameters in stray dogs seropositive and seronegative to Ehrlichia canis in North Trinidad. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012; 3:207-11. [PMID: 22658916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In view of the fact that stray dogs are a reservoir for many diseases, this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis in stray dogs in North Trinidad and to evaluate the diagnostic implications of haematological alterations associated with seropositivity. Overall, 41 (44.6%) of 92 stray dogs were seropositive to E. canis by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Dogs, one year of age and older (59.7%) were more likely to be seropositive than dogs less than one year old (13.3%) (p<0.001). No significant differences in seropositivity between females and males were found. The odds ratios showed that seropositive dogs were 3.34 (CI 95%; 1.33-8.59) and 5.17 (CI 95%; 0.19-1.26) times more likely to have low platelet counts and elevated total serum protein concentrations (p=0.014 and p<0.001, respectively) than seronegative dogs. Lower mean platelet counts and a higher mean total protein concentration were associated with seropositivity (p<0.01). Mean eosinophil and segmented neutrophil counts were elevated in dogs that tested negative for E. canis antibodies (p=0.002 and p<0.005, respectively). Other haematological parameters were not different between the 2 groups. The high percentage of stray dogs infected with E. canis should alert veterinarians to the potential risk of transmission of the disease. A comprehensive study possibly using molecular methods such as nested PCR should be undertaken to determine how co-infection with other pathogens may alter haematological profiles. In general, control of ticks and stray dog populations may help to control the spread of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinora Asgarali
- Department of Basic Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.
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50
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Melo ALT, Martins TF, Horta MC, Moraes-Filho J, Pacheco RC, Labruna MB, Aguiar DM. Seroprevalence and risk factors to Ehrlichia spp. and Rickettsia spp. in dogs from the Pantanal Region of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2011; 2:213-8. [PMID: 22108015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2011.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Sera of 320 dogs from urban and rural areas of a Pantanal region of Brazil were evaluated for rickettsial (Rickettsia rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii, R. rhipicephali, R. felis, and R. bellii) and ehrlichial (Ehrlichia canis) infection by the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Risk factors for ehrlichiosis or rickettsiosis were also evaluated. Positive reaction against Ehrlichia spp. was detected in 227 (70.9%) dogs, 119 (74.3%) from an urban area and 108 (67.5%) from rural areas (P>0.05). For Rickettsia spp., 152 (47.5%) dogs were positive, 31 (19.3%) from urban and 121 (75.6%) from rural areas (P<0.05). Highest anti-Rickettsia spp. endpoint titers were observed for R. amblyommii, suggesting homologous reactions to this agent or a very closely related organism. While most of the urban dogs were found parasitized by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, infestations on rural dogs were predominated by Amblyomma cajenennse. Rickettsial infection was significantly higher (P<0.05) in rural dogs, in dogs with hunting practice, or in A. cajennense-infested dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréia L T Melo
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
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