Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hepatozoon canis infection found in stray dogs from Cuba
By Díaz-Sánchez, Adrian Alberto et al.·Published in Parasitology international·2021·Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Molecular detection and characterization of Hepatozoon canis in stray dogs from Cuba.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of stray dogs in Cuba was tested for a tick-borne disease called hepatozoonosis, caused by a parasite known as Hepatozoon canis. Out of 80 dogs, 8 showed signs of the parasite under a microscope, while 38 tested positive using a more sensitive DNA test. The study found that the DNA from the Cuban dogs was very similar to Hepatozoon canis found in dogs from other countries. This research is important as it confirms the presence of this parasite in Cuba for the first time, which could help in managing the health of stray dogs in the area.
People also search for: dog tick disease symptoms · hepatozoonosis in dogs · stray dog health issues · how to treat dog tick infections
Abstract
Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a worldwide distributed tick-borne disease of domestic and wild canids that is transmitted by ingestion of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) ticks. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon infections in 80 stray dogs from Havana Province in Cuba, and to confirm the species identity and phylogenetic relationships of the causative agent. Samples were screened by microscopical examination of thin blood smears for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. gamonts and by genus-specific SYBR green-based real-time PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Direct microscopy examination revealed Hepatozoon gamonts in the peripheral blood of 8 dogs (10.0%; 95% CI: 4.80-18.0%), while 38 animals (47.5%; 95% CI: 36.8-58.4%) were PCR-positive, including all microscopically positive dogs. Hence, the agreement between the two detection methods was 'poor' (κ = 0.20). Hematological parameters did not differ significantly between PCR-positive and PCR-negative dogs (p > 0.05). The DNA sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of the Hepatozoon spp. from Cuban dogs showed a nucleotide identity >99% with those of 18S rRNA sequences of Hepatozoon canis isolates from Czech Republic, Brazil and Spain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that obtained sequences clustered within the Hepatozoon canis clade, different from the Hepatozoon felis or Hepatozoon americanum clades. The present study represents the first molecular characterization of Hepatozoon canis in stray dogs within Cuba.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32980550/