HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND SEROPREVALENCE OF Ehrlichia canis AND Babesia vogeli IN DOGS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Ehrlichia canis and anti-Babesia vogeli IgG antibodies in dogs and correlate this prevalence with risk factors to evaluate the relation of serological status to hematological findings. Blood samples of dogs attended from September 2011 to March 2012 at the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, were analyzed using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Of the total 160 dog serum samples, 23.7% (38 dogs; CI 95 17.7% -30.7%) were seropositive for E. canis, 40.0% (64 dogs; CI 95 40.0% -59.2%) for B. vogeli, and 5.6% (9 dogs) for both hemoparasites. None of the epidemiological variables showed a significant association (P>0.05) with seropositivity to E. canis and B. vogeli. Dogs seropositive for E. canis showed lower values for hematocrit (P<0.05). However, for the erythrogram, the platelet count, the leukogram and clinical signs, no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between dogs that were seropositive and seronegative for E. canis or for B. vogeli. Serological results suggest that infection with E. canis and B. vogeli is endemic in the canine population in question, with a prevalence of the subclinical phase (asymptomatic) in dogs that are seropositive for ehrlichiosis or babesiosis. Keywords: babesiosis; canine; ehrlichiosis; IFAT; laboratory findings. ResumoO objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de anticorpos IgG anti-Ehrlichia canis e antiBabesia vogeli em cães e correlacionar com a prevalência e fatores de risco para avaliar a relação do estado sorológico com os achados hematológicos. Amostras de sangue de cães coletadas de setembro de 2011 a março de 2012, no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Lavras, Brasil, foram analisadas usando o teste de reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Do total de amostras de soro de 160 cães, 23,7% (38 cães; IC95 17,7% -30,7%) foram soropositivos para E. canis, 40,0% (64 cães; IC95 40,0% -59,2%) para B. vogeli, e 5,6% (9 cães) para os dois hemoparasitas. Nenhuma das variáveis epidemiológicas mostrou associação significativa (P> 0,05) com a soropositividade para E. canis e B. vogeli. Cães soropositivos para E. canis mostraram valores médios mais baixos para hematócrito (P<0,05). No entanto, para o eritrograma, a contagem de plaquetas, o leucograma e os sinais clínicos, nenhuma diferença significativa (P> 0,05) foi observada entre cães soropositivos e soronegativos para E. canis ou para B. vogeli. Os resultados sorológicos deste estudo sugerem que a Cienc. anim. bras., Goiânia, v.18, 1-9, e-36095, 2017 2 FONSECA, J.P., et al.infecção por E. canis e B. vogeli é endêmica na população canina em questão, com uma prevalência da fase subclínica (assintomática) em cães soropositivos para erliquiose ou babesiose.

Molecular prevalence and factors associated with Babesia vogeli infection in dogs in the Cerrado Mato-Grossense region of Brazil

“…was observed (Table 1). Dogs raised outdoors and with street access tend to be bred less carefully by the guardian, thus not performing adequate parasite control (FONSECA et al, 2017). The presence of vegetation also facilitates exposure to ixodids, favoring the occurrence of haemoparasites, mainly in dogs raised in backyard houses (SOARES et al, 2006).…”

Ege Bölgesindeki Köpeklerde Monositik Ehrlichiosis: Klinik ve Hematolojik Bulgular

“…To compare clinical features and assess risk factors for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis we enrolled owned cases in which most of them were infected with ticks. Parasitism by R. sanguineous is a wellknown risk factor for ehrlichiosis (7), and dogs infected with ticks showed a higher risk for seropositivity against canine ehrlichiosis (1,5,7,20). In our study among 63 E. canis seropositive dogs, 49…”

“…thrombocytopenia is more severe as a result of bone marrow hypoplasia (2,26). Thrombocytopenia may be due to destruction and consumption of platelets, increased hepatic or splenic platelet sequestration, decreased platelet production following bone marrow hypoplasia and production of antiplatelet antibodies (1,17 (20).…”

“…ick-borne bacteria and parasites are significant pathogens of domestic dogs and potentially are of public health significance. Ehrlichia canis (E.canis), a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium is the primary causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) (1)(2)(3). The agent is predominantly transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (2,3).…”

“…Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is an important canine disease with a worldwide distribution. CME has been reported throughout the world, with a higher frequency in tropical and subtropical regions (1)(2)(3). CME results in a variety of acute, chronic or subclinical syndromes with different phases of the disease course and multiple clinical manifestations.…”