Spatial distribution of vector borne disease agents in dogs in Aegean region, Turkey

Objective. Assess the spatial distribution of seroprevalence of infection with or exposure to 4 vector-borne pathogens Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis, across the coastal states of the Aegean region with special reference to clinical signs and haematological variances related to disease condition. Materials and methods. A convenience sample, targeting blood from at least 10 pet dogs from İzmir, Aydin, Denizli, Mugla and Manisa cities involved was evaluated using a canine point-of-care ELISA kit. Results. Out of 307 dogs tested the overall seroprevalence was highest for E. canis (24.42%), followed by E. canis + A. phagocytophilum co-infection (10.42%), A. phagocytophilum (7.49%) and D. immitis (2.28%). Only 2 cases were seropositive to B. burgdorferi albeit 10 dogs were co-infected with more than 2 agents. For both dogs infected with E. canis and co-infected with E. canis and A. phagocytophilum, anemia, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis, were more commonly detected, whereas thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis were significant finding in dogs infected with A. phagocytophilum or D. immitis, respectively. Variance analysis showed significant differences for mean RBC, Hb, PCV and PLT values (p<0.01) among control group and other groups. Conclusions. Seropositivity for vector-borne pathogens other than B. burgdorferi, is moderately to widely distributed in dogs residing in the Aegean region in Turkey

Interpretation of Coagulation Tendency Contributing to Thrombosis in Vector-Borne Diseases (Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Leishmaniosis, and Dirofilariasis) among Dogs

Background: Vector-borne infectious and zoonotic diseases are an important health problem that directly affects human and animal health negatively. Results through evaluation of coagulation disorders among vector-borne diseases should be of beneficial for both human and dogs studies. According to the present author’s knowledge reports regarding changes in platelet (PLT) count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer levels in dogs naturally infected with one or more vector-borne pathogens are lacking. Therefore, the present study was aimed to detecting those parameters for relation between diagnosis and prognosis of vector-borne diseases among dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: The material of this study was 46 dogs (36 were naturally infected with vector-borne diseases and 10 were healthy) from different breed, age and of both sexes. Venous blood samples were obtained to detect PLT counts, antibodies of ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, borreliosis, leishmaniosis and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. The diagnosis of vector-borne diseases was performed by using a commercial ELISA assay kits. PLT count was performed with an automated blood cell counter analyser. In addition, PT, APTT and FIB concentrations were measured using a microcoagulometer. D-dimer concentrations were determined using fluorescence immunoassay rapid quantitave test analyser. Subgroups were formed according to the number of cases and the distribution of vector-borne agent. Statistically significant decreased PLT count was found in dogs mono infected with ehrlichiosis compared to healthy dogs (P 0.05). APTT values in the ehrlichiosis mono infection group were significantly higher than that of the healthy control  (P < 0.01). A significant increase in FIB levels were detected for ehrlichiosis mono infection and ehrlichiosis - leishmaniosis co infection versus healthy control (P < 0.001). Plasma D-dimer concentrations were found to be higher in all groups infected with vector borne diseases compared to healthy group (P < 0.001) and the differences between infected groups were not statistically significant.Discussion: Bleeding disorders such as epistaxis, haematuria and haemorrhagic diarrhoea has been reported in dogs with vector-borne diseases. These disorders represent the main cause of death in dogs. In the present study, thrombocytopenia was observed in dogs mono infected with ehrlichiosis compared to healthy. This finding is in agreement with those reported in dogs with ehrlichiosis. Plasma FIB is one of the most important factors in the coagulation cascade. In the present study, a significant difference between dogs with ehrlichiosis mono infection and ehrlichiosis - leishmaniosis co infection versus healthy controls group was observed. PT and APTT are commonly used in evaluating dogs with bleeding tendencies. In the present study, a significant difference between dogs with ehrlichiosis and with healthy control was observed in APTT values, however, differences in PT values compared to healthy dogs were insignificant. No statistical difference in PT values might be related to the lower sensitivity of the commercial PT assays. In dogs, D-dimer concentrations can be elevated due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, infections, metabolic disorders, neoplasia and post-surgically. In the present study, a significant increase in D-dimer concentration was observed in all dogs with vector-borne diseases. This finding points to the activation of the fibrinolysis system in consequence of thrombophilia. In conclusion, elevations presented in coagulation biomarkers such as APTT, FIB and D-dimer in the present study were interpreted as with the effects of vector-borne diseases. It may be briefly suggested that D-dimer levels as a marker of pro-coagulatory activity, as well as fibrinolysis, indicates the highly active and excessive coagulation, and all through are risk factors for thromboembolic disorders. Therefore, these findings should be considered in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the vector-borne diseases in dogs

Evaluation of red cell distribution width in dogs with monocytic ehrlichiosis

Monositik ehrlichiosis köpeklerde yaygın olarak görülen, anemi ve trombositopeni başta olmak üzere çeşitli sistemik bulgulara yol açabilen önemli bir vektör kaynaklı hastalıktır. Eritosit dağılım genişliği (RDW), anizositozisin bir biyobelirteci olarak aneminin yorumlanmasında kullanılmaktadır. RDW seviyelerinde artış oksidatif stres ve kronik yangısal durum ile ilişkilendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada monositik ehrlichiosis ile akut ve subklinik enfekte köpeklerde RDW değeri ve ilgili eritrosit parametrelerinin incelenerek sağlıklı köpekler ile karşılaştırılması amaçlandı. Araştırmanın hayvan materyalini monositik ehrlichiosis ile doğal enfekte (n=55) ve sağlıklı (n=40) olmak üzere farklı ırk, yaş ve her iki cinsiyetten toplam 95 köpek oluşturdu. Hastalığın başlangıç formunda klinik ve laboratuvar bulgu gösteren köpekler akut enfekte (n=45), bulgu göstermeyenler ise subklinik enfekte (n=10) olarak kendi içerisinde iki gruba ayrıldı. Sağlıklı ve subklinik enfekte gruplara göre akut enfekte grupta eritrosit, hemoglobin, hematokrit ve ortalama eritrosit hacmi değerleri düşük (p<0.001), RDW değeri ise yüksek (p<0.001) saptandı. Sağlıklı ve subklinik enfekte gruplar arasında ise anlamlı farklılık bulunmadı. Sonuç olarak monositik ehrlichiosis ile akut enfekte köpeklerde anizositozisin göstergesi olarak RDW değerinde önemli artış belirlendi. Gelecekteki çalışmalarda RDW değerinin retikülosit sayısı ve plazma demir düzeyleri ile birlikte değerlendirilmesiyle daha kapsamlı sonuçlara ulaşılabileceği kanısına varıldı.Monocytic ehrlichiosis is an important vector-borne disease that is common in dogs and may lead to various systemic findings, especially anemia and thrombocytopenia. The red cell distribution width (RDW), a biomarker of anisocytosis, might be used for interpretation of anemia. Possible increases in RDW levels might be associated to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. In the present study, it was aimed to compare RDW value and related erythrocyte parameters in dogs acutely and subclinically infected with monocytic ehrlichiosis and compared to healthy dogs. The animal material of the study was composed of 95 dogs of different breed, age and of both sexes, tothose of naturally infected with monocytic ehrlichiosis (n=55) and healthy (n=40). Dogs infected with monocytic ehrlichiosis were divided into two groups; dogs showing clinical and laboratory findings of the disease as acutely infected (n = 45) and subclinically infected (n = 10) without any findings. Erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean erythrocyte volume values were lower (p<0.001) and RDW value was higher (p<0.001) in acutely infected group compared to healthy and subclinically infected groups. There was no significant difference between healthy and subclinically infected groups. As a result, a significant increase in RDW was detected in acutely infected dogs with monocytic ehrlichiosis as an indicator of anisocytosis. It was concluded that more comprehensive results may be achieved by evaluating the RDW value together with the number of reticulocytes and plasma iron levels with further studies

Determinación de la Prevalencia de “ehrlichia canis” en la Clínica Veterinaria “Zoosalud” de la Ciudad de La Maná.

Canine ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis, this in turn is a gram negative coconut bacterium which directly infects the circulate cells, this disease directly affects dogs (Eanis familiaris) since its main vector is the brown tick or Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The objective of this research work was to determine the prevalence of this disease in patients who attend the Veterinary Clinic "Zoosalud", which is located in La Maná canton, Cotopaxi province. Hundred animals taken at random were used which came to consultation, regardless of sex, race, age or symptoms presented, what was tried to arrive with this is to find out how many animals had the disease even without still presenting symptoms. A blood sample of 1 to 2 cc was taken directly from the cephalic vein or in certain cases from the saphenous vein, after this it was placed in a tube with EDTA to prevent clotting, placing a drop of blood and two of the Buffer substance that came within the same test. It was waited 10 to 20 min per test and after this; it was marked as negative if there was no trace below the T mark. As results, it was found that there is a percentage of 68% of the presence of Ehrlichia canis, in the clinic mentioned above, taking into account the variables measured, it was found that in males the percentage of positives was 55.9% in males while 44.1 % was found in females. The age variable showed greater susceptibility in canines older than 2 years with a percentage of 48.8%, followed by canines from 9 months to two years with a percentage of 30.7%. These results will allow preventive measures for pet owners.Ehrlichiosis canina es una enfermedad causada por la bacteria Ehrlichia canis, esta a su vez es una bacteria coco gram negativa la cual infecta directamente los mocitos circulates, esta enfermedad afecta directamente a los perros (Canis familiaris) ya que su principal vector es la garrapata marón o Rhipicephalus sanguineus. El presente trabajo de investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de esta enfermedad, en pacientes que asisten a la clínica Veterinaria “Zoosalud” la misma que se encuentra ubicada en el cantón La Maná, provincia de Cotopaxi. Se utilizaron 100 animales tomados al azar los cuales llegaban a consulta, sin importar sexo raza, edad o sintomatología presentada, a lo que se trató de llegar con esto es averiguar cuantos animales presentaban la enfermedad incluso sin presentar aún síntomas. Se procedió a tomar una muestra de sangre de 1 a 2 cc directamente de la vena cefálica o en ciertos casos de la vena safena, luego de esto se procedía a ubicar en un tuvo con EDTA para evitar su coagulación, se colocó una gota de sangre y dos de la sustancia Buffer que venía dentro del mismo test. Se esperó de 10 a 20 min por test y luego de esto se marcaba como negativa en caso de no haber rastro debajo de la marca T. Como resultados se encontró que existe un porcentaje de 68% de presencia de Ehrlichia canis, en la clínica mencionada anteriormente, teniendo en cuenta las variables medidas, se encontró que es machos el porcentaje de positivos fue de un 55.9 % en machos mientras que un 44.1 % fue encontrado en hembras. La variable de edad mostró una mayor susceptibilidad en caninos mayores a 2 años con un porcentaje del 48.8 %, seguido de los caninos de 9 meses a dos años con un porcentaje del 30.7 %. Estos resultados permitirán tomar medidas de prevención para los dueños de las mascotas