Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hemoplasma infections and risk factors in hunting dogs from southern
By Cortese, L et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2020·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Distribution and risk factors of canine haemotropic mycoplasmas in hunting dogs from southern Italy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of hunting dogs in southern Italy was tested for infections caused by two types of blood-borne bacteria called Mycoplasma haemocanis and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum." About 20% of the dogs were found to be infected, with certain breeds, living conditions, and activities increasing the risk. Factors like living in rural areas, hunting wild mammals, and being part of a large pack were linked to higher infection rates. The study suggests that outdoor lifestyles and exposure to ticks may contribute to these infections.
People also search for: dog blood infection symptoms · hunting dog tick prevention · Mycoplasma haemocanis treatment
Abstract
Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" (CMhp) are the main haemoplasma species known to infect dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of haemoplasma species infections in hunting dogs from southern Italy and assess related risk factors. 1,433 hunting dogs living in Campania region were tested by qPCR assay. The prevalence was 19.9 %; 13.1 % for Mhc and 11.4 % for CMhp; 4.6 % showed a coinfection with both haemoplasma species. Statistical analysis revealed living in Salerno province (Mhc: OR 3.72; CMhp: OR 2.74), hound (Mhc: OR 5.26; CMhp: OR 8.46) and mixed breed (Mhc: OR 3.38; CMhp: OR 2.80), rural environment (Mhc: OR 12.58; CMhp: OR 10.38), wild mammal hunting (Mhc: OR 8.73; CMhp: OR 8.32), cohabitation with other animals (Mhc: OR 2.82; CMhp: OR 2.78) and large pack size (Mhc: OR 2.96; CMhp: OR 1.61) as risk factors for haemoplasmas. Male gender (OR 1.44) and tick infestation history (OR 1.40) represented risk factors only for Mhc, while adult age (2-7 years - OR 2.01; > 7 years - OR 1.84) and large body size (OR 1.48) were associated only to CMhp. Mhc infection was significantly associated to Babesia vogeli (p < 0.05) and Hepatozoon canis (p < 0.001), while CMhp with H. canis (p < 0.001). This study adds information on haemoplasma species distribution in hunting dogs in southern Italy. Outdoor lifestyle and contact with wild fauna, through greater exposure to tick infestation, or possibly wounds acquired during hunting or fighting, could be factors contributing to haemoplasma infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33160194/