Potential Role of Hepatozoon canis in a Fatal Systemic Disease in a Puppy

Bonis, Andrea De; Colombo, Mariasole; Terragni, Rossella; Bacci, Barbara; Morelli, Simone; Grillini, Marika; Vignoli, Massimo

doi:10.3390/pathogens10091193

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although several studies report that mild non-regenerative anemia, leukocytosis with neutrophilia and monocytosis, or mild thrombocytopenia [44,45] are the most common laboratory findings after Hepatozoon canis infection, our data demonstrated that no hematological abnormalities were detected in any of the nine positive dogs. We can suppose that hematological changes are less pronounced in hepatozoonosis and abnormalities are relievable when co-infection with one or more vector-borne diseases occurs.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 72%

Molecular Survey of Hepatozoon canis Infection in Domestic Dogs from Sardinia, Italy

Chisu,

Giua,

Bianco

et al. 2023

Veterinary Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tick-borne protozoans of the genus Hepatozoon have been associated with infections of domestic and wild animals over the world. The occurrence of these apicomplexan agents in Sardinia has been poorly explored so far. In this study, the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. has been investigated in domestic dogs from nine cities of Sardinia, Italy. Blood samples from each dog were collected and tested molecularly for the presence of Hepatozoon and Babesia/Theileria DNAs. Out of fifty-one dogs, nine were positive for Hepatozoon species based on the molecular detection of the parasite in blood samples. The phylogenetic relationships of strains detected here were also established. The PCR for amplification of the 18S rRNA fragment gene of Babesia/Theileria spp. did not give amplicons in any of the analyzed samples. Our results report the first molecular confirmation of Hepatozoon canis in Sardinian pet dogs and contribute to better understand the presence of these protozoans on the island. This study highlights the importance of recognizing and predicting the risk levels for the canine population, thus increasing the development of specific control measures. Also, since the distribution of hepatozoonosis is closely related to that of the definitive tick host, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, more accurate studies on Rhipicephalus ticks will be needed due to increasing the epidemiological knowledge of Hepatozoon species on the island.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 72%

Molecular Survey of Hepatozoon canis Infection in Domestic Dogs from Sardinia, Italy

Chisu,

Giua,

Bianco

et al. 2023

Veterinary Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In typical cases of canine babesiosis, moderate to severe anaemia (often haemolytic), thrombocytopenia, leukopenia with relative monocytosis and significant activation of mononuclear white blood cells are observed. In hepatozoonosis, haematological changes are less pronounced, although there is a potential for mild nonregenerative anaemia, leucocytosis with neutrophilia and monocytosis or mild thrombocytopenia [ 37 ]. Severe clinical manifestations (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features

Tołkacz,

Kretschmer,

Nowak

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a common infection in dogs, with frequent case reports from the Mediterranean region and more recently from several Central European countries, such as Hungary and Germany. Despite the high prevalence of H. canis in red foxes, no infections have been reported to date in dogs in Poland. We describe here the first autochthonous cases of H. canis infection in dogs, including their clinical features, and report the prevalence of H. canis in grey wolves from different regions of Poland. Methods Thin smears prepared from blood samples collected from dogs were evaluated by microscopic examination. A total of 60 wolves and 47 dogs were tested. Infections were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Results Gamonts of H. canis were found in > 50% of the neutrophils of two dogs and in < 10% of the neutrophils in another five dogs. Molecular typing by PCR sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragment confirmed infections in 11 dogs from different regions of Poland, in 2.7% of dogs attending veterinary practices in central Poland and in 35% of wolves from various geographical regions of Poland. Clinical features manifested mostly in older dogs, and the most common signs were anaemia and apathy. Young dogs usually remained asymptomatic. Conclusions This is the first report of H. canis infection in dogs and wolves in Poland. Although the exact vector of the parasite is not known, veterinary practitioners should be aware of this new parasitosis and should consider appropriate diagnostics to confirm/exclude this infection. Further studies are needed to understand the transmission routes of H. canis in domestic and wild canids in Poland. Graphical Abstract

show abstract

“…Although H. canis infections are usually subclinical, some case reports suggest that H. canis infections may cause systemic disease in canine puppies, with lethargy, fever, anorexia, weight loss and gastrointestinal signs being reported as the most prominent clinical signs [ 1 , 27 , 28 ]. In our study, immunosuppression due to pregnancy might have been responsible for the reported lethargy and tachypnoea in the mother dog.…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Hepatozoon canis is a protozoal agent that is known to be transmitted by oral uptake of H. canis-infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in dogs. Vertical transmission of H. canis has only been described once in a study evaluating dogs from Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological status of puppies from a bitch that had tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. prior to giving birth. Findings A 4-year-old, female, pregnant dog imported from Italy (Sardinia) to Germany showed clinical signs of lethargy and tachypnoea and tested positive for H. canis by PCR. The dog gave birth to eight puppies, one of which was stillborn and another that had to be reanimated. Haematology, buffy coat analysis and a biochemistry profile were performed for each dog. EDTA-blood of the surviving seven puppies and bone marrow, liver, spleen, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord of the stillborn puppy was tested for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. by PCR. The mother and the seven surviving puppies tested positive for H. canis by PCR at day 62 post-partum. Gamonts were detected in all dogs by buffy coat evaluation. Haematological and biochemistry results revealed mild abnormalities. In the stillborn puppy, spleen, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid were positive for H. canis. Conclusion The results confirm that vertical transmission is a possible route of H. canis infection in dogs, demonstrated by molecular detection of the pathogen in the stillborn puppy. In the seven surviving puppies, vertical transmission was the most likely transmission route. A potential impact of the level of parasitaemia on the health of puppies, as well as its pathogenesis, should be investigated further. Graphical Abstract

show abstract

Potential Role of Hepatozoon canis in a Fatal Systemic Disease in a Puppy

Cited by 10 publications

References 31 publications

Molecular Survey of Hepatozoon canis Infection in Domestic Dogs from Sardinia, Italy

Molecular Survey of Hepatozoon canis Infection in Domestic Dogs from Sardinia, Italy

The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features

First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About