Prevalência de hepatozoonose canina no município de Areia, Paraíba, Brasil

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2016v29n1p175Canine hepatozoonosis is a parasitic disease of debilitating nature. Also, it is immunosuppressive and difficult to diagnose clinically. The prevalence of the disease in dogs has been described in several Brazilian states, but studies are still scarce in the Northeast region. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of canine hepatozoonosis in Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. The dogs were clinically examined, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the tip of the ear. Of the 151 dogs analyzed, 9.3% were positive for Hepatozoon canis by the demonstration of gamonts parasitizing neutrophils. The degree of parasitemia ranged from mild to intense. The observed hematological changes were different between animals and showed no pattern of response to infection. The subclinical form was observed in 50% of dogs and the others had nonspeciic clinical signs. We conclude that hepatozoonosis occurs in dogs in the urban area of the city studied and that dogs infected with H. canis show hematological changes and nonspeciic clinical signs. http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2016v29n1p175A hepatozoonose canina é uma doença parasitária de caráter debilitante, imunossupressora e de difícil diagnóstico clínico. A prevalência da doença em cães já foi descrita em vários estados brasileiros, todavia na região Nordeste os estudos ainda são escassos. Em virtude disso, o trabalho objetivou determinar a prevalência da hepatozoonose canina no município de Areia, Paraíba, Brasil. Os cães foram examinados clinicamente e foram colhidas amostras de sangue circulante e periférico (ponta de orelha). Das 151 amostras analisadas, 9,3% dos cães foram positivos para Hepatozoon canis, a partir da visualização de gamontes parasitando neutrófilos. O grau de parasitemia variou de leve a intenso. As alterações hematológicas observadas foram diferentes entre os animais, não apresentando padrão de resposta à infecção. A forma subclínica foi observada em 50% dos cães e os demais apresentaram sinais clínicos inespecíficos. Conclui-se que há a ocorrência da hepatozoonose em cães da área urbana do município. Além disso, os cães infectados com H. canis apresentaram alterações hematológicas e sinais clínicos inespecíficos

Prevalence of canine hepatozoonosis in Areia, Paraíba, Brazil

Canine hepatozoonosis is a parasitic disease of debilitating nature. Also, it is immunosuppressive and difficult to diagnose clinically. The prevalence of the disease in dogs has been described in several Brazilian states, but studies are still scarce in the Northeast region. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of canine hepatozoonosis in Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. The dogs were clinically examined, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the tip of the ear. Of the 151 dogs analyzed, 9.3% were positive for Hepatozoon canis by the demonstration of gamonts parasitizing neutrophils. The degree of parasitemia ranged from mild to intense. The observed hematological changes were different between animals and showed no pattern of response to infection. The subclinical form was observed in 50% of dogs and the others had nonspecific clinical signs. We conclude that hepatozoonosis occurs in dogs in the urban area of the city studied and that dogs infected with H. canis show hematological changes and nonspecific clinical signs

Co-infection with arthropod-borne pathogens in domestic cats

<div><p>Abstract The role of several feline vector-borne pathogens (FVBP) as a cause of disease in cats has not been clearly determined. In fact, with the exception of Bartonella spp. and hemoplasmas, FVBP in cats has not been clearly determined in Brazil yet. The present study aimed at identifying, by using molecular methods, the presence of FVBP in three cats showing non-specific clinical signs and inclusions suggestive of hemoparasites in blood smears. Cytauxzoon felis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, Ehrlichia sp. closely related to Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma sp. closely related to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in blood samples from two out of three sampled cats. Both cats positive for multiple FVBP did not show hematological and biochemical abnormalities. The present work emphasizes the need for molecular confirmation of co-infection by multiple FVBP in cats presenting non-specific clinical signs and inclusions resembling hemoparasites in blood smears.</p></div