Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Infections by four blood parasites in dogs from Rio Grande do Norte
By Araújo, Bruno Vinicios Silva de et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2025·Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Single and co-infections by Anaplasma platys, Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and Hepatozoon canis in dogs from Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: frequency and molecular characterization.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in Brazil were tested for infections caused by several blood parasites, including Ehrlichia canis, which was found in nearly 42% of the dogs. Blood samples from 181 dogs showed that 72.3% had at least one infection, with many dogs having multiple infections at the same time. The study highlights the importance of diagnosing these infections, as they can worsen symptoms and complicate treatment. Pet owners in areas where these parasites are common should be aware of the risks and consult their veterinarians for preventive measures.
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Abstract
This study investigated the presence of Anaplasma platys, Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and Hepatozoon canis in dogs in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from October 2022 to August 2023. Blood samples were collected from 181 dogs with suspected hemoparasitoses based on clinical and/or laboratory findings (such as hematological alterations) for direct hemoparasite examination on slides, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and phylogenetic analysis. PCR revealed that 72.3% of dogs were infected with at least one agent. Among these, 44.7% were monoinfected and 27.6% coinfected, with 21.5% infected by two agents and 6.1% by three or more. E. canis was most frequent (41.9%), followed by H. canis (35.4%), A. platys (21.5%), and B. vogeli (7.7%). Anaplasma and Ehrlichia-like morulae, Hepatozoon sp. gametocytes, and Babesia sp. merozoites were found in 20.0%, 11.1%, 15.0%, and 1.7% of animals, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequences revealed high similarity to reference strains from Brazil and other countries. The infection patterns underscore the importance of diagnostic and preventive measures to safeguard animal health in areas endemic for Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), given the frequency of coinfections that may exacerbate clinical signs and hinder treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41417336/