Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hepatozoon infection found in Czech hunting dogs and foxes
By Mitková, Barbora et al.·Published in Parasitology research·2016·Department of Pathology and Parasitology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Autochthonous Hepatozoon infection in hunting dogs and foxes from the Czech Republic.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of hunting dogs in the Czech Republic tested positive for a parasite called Hepatozoon canis, which they likely contracted from close contact with local red foxes. Out of the eight dogs examined, four were found to have the parasite, indicating a possible cross-infection between the foxes and the dogs. While the study did not find any visible signs of the parasite in the dogs' blood smears, it marks the first report of this infection in dogs in that region. It's important for pet owners in areas with wildlife to be aware of potential infections from parasites that can be transmitted from wild animals.
People also search for: dog parasite infection · Hepatozoon canis symptoms in dogs · hunting dog health risks
Abstract
Blood samples from 21 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 8 hunting dogs from the same locality in the Czech Republic were examined for presence of Hepatozoon canis/Hepatozoon sp. The dogs were selected based on their close contact with foxes during fox bolting and because they had not traveled into known endemic areas. Using diagnostic PCR amplifying partial 18S rDNA fragment, Hepatozoon DNA was detected in 20 red foxes (95 %) and 4 dogs (50 %). From 8 positive foxes and 2 positive dogs, we obtained nearly complete 18S rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences revealed very low variability. Buffy coat smears from positive dogs were prepared and examined. No Hepatozoon gamonts were found. This study provides the first report of autochthonous infection of H. canis/Hepatozoon in dogs and foxes from the Czech Republic. Our study indirectly demonstrates cross infection between red foxes and dogs and confirms autochthonous infection of Hepatozoon canis in dogs living in a geographic area well outside the range of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, which is so far the only known vector of H. canis in Europe.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27431805/