Autochthonous infection with Ehrlichia Canis and Hepatozoon Canis in dogs from Serbia

Abstract

Background The epidemiological status concerning many canine tick‐borne diseases (TBDs) in Serbia is still insufficiently known. Objectives Our study aimed to investigate the presence of tick‐borne pathogens of the family Anaplasmataceae and Hepatozoon spp., as a cause of illnesses accompanied by clinical signs that can occur in dogs with anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis. Methods Dogs are included in the study based on the presence of a minimum of three clinical and/or pathological findings that could be associated with anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis. During the study (April–October 2018), 11 dogs met the conditions to be included in the survey. Identification of the causative agent in the blood of diseased dogs was performed by conventional PCR followed by sequencing. Results The presence of the pathogens was confirmed in three animals (3/11, 27.3%). The presence of Ehrlichia canis was confirmed in 3‐month‐old female Rottweiler puppy, an 8‐year old Miniature Schnauzer female was positive for Hepatozoon canis infection, while 4‐year‐old mixed breed male dog was co‐infected with both mentioned pathogens. These are the first cases of autochthonous infection with E. canis and H. canis in dogs from Serbia confirmed by molecular methods. Conclusions The results of our study indicate the importance of molecular methods to establish a reliable diagnosis of TBDs. Also, the confirmed presence of causative agents of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and hepatozoonosis in Serbia appeals to veterinary practitioners that it is necessary to exclude the presence of those diseases in suspicious dogs.

Study of Haematological and Biochemical Alterations in Clinical Cases of Canine Ehrlichiosis to Understand the Clinical Picture of the Disease

“…Additionally, in our study there was no significant difference observed in the MCV, MCH, or MCHC values in the infected animals compared to healthy animals. The current data, are consistent with the results of Sukara et al [21,22,23], which showed normocytic and normochromic anemia in dogs affected with ehrlichiosis. Similar outcomes showing negligible changes in the mean MCV and MCH values were also observed by other workers [15,24,25].…”

Molecular detection of <i>Hepatozoon canis</i> in dogs from Ibagué, Tolima

“…Transmission by other arthropods, such as Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Babesia spp. that can carry other pathogens, means that co-infection should also be considered as an aggravating factor of a Hepatozoon canis infection [ 10 , 42 ].…”

Molecular Detection and Genetic Variability of Hepatozoon canis in Golden Jackals (Canis aureus L. 1758) in Serbia

“…In Serbia, a relatively high dispersion of H. canis was observed in different animal species, including the ticks I. ricinus [ 27 ] and R. sanguineus [ 32 ], dogs [ 33 , 34 ], red foxes [ 30 ], wolves [ 21 ], and A. flavicollis mice [ 35 ]. A high prevalence of H. canis was detected in golden jackals in Europe [ 33 , 36 ], as well as in wolves in Serbia (57.94%) [ 21 ], Germany (46%) [ 37 ], and Italy (75.8%) [ 38 ].…”