“Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis” Infection in a Dog from Germany▿

“Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis” is a new intracellular pathogen associated with human infection and death. “Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis” infection in a chronically neutropenic dog from Germany was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The same organism was previously described from ticks and two sick human beings from Germany

Infection of Domestic Dogs in Peru by Zoonotic <i>Bartonella</i> Species: A Cross-Sectional Prevalence Study of 219 Asymptomatic Dogs

<div><p><i>Bartonella</i> species are emerging infectious organisms transmitted by arthropods capable of causing long-lasting infection in mammalian hosts. Among over 30 species described from four continents to date, 15 are known to infect humans, with eight of these capable of infecting dogs as well. <i>B. bacilliformis</i> is the only species described infecting humans in Peru; however, several other <i>Bartonella</i> species were detected in small mammals, bats, ticks, and fleas in that country. The objective of this study was to determine the serological and/or molecular prevalence of <i>Bartonella</i> species in asymptomatic dogs in Peru in order to indirectly evaluate the potential for human exposure to zoonotic <i>Bartonella</i> species. A convenient sample of 219 healthy dogs was obtained from five cities and three villages in Peru. EDTA-blood samples were collected from 205 dogs, whereas serum samples were available from 108 dogs. The EDTA-blood samples were screened by PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing for species identification. Antibodies against <i>B. vinsonii berkhoffii</i> and <i>B. rochalimae</i> were detected by IFA (cut-off of 1∶64). <i>Bartonella</i> DNA was detected in 21 of the 205 dogs (10%). Fifteen dogs were infected with <i>B. rochalimae</i>, while six dogs were infected with <i>B. v. berkhoffii</i> genotype III. Seropositivity for <i>B. rochalimae</i> was detected in 67 dogs (62%), and for <i>B. v. berkhoffii</i> in 43 (40%) of the 108 dogs. Reciprocal titers ≥1∶256 for <i>B. rochalimae</i> were detected in 19% of dogs, and for <i>B. v. berkhoffii</i> in 6.5% of dogs. This study identifies for the first time a population of dogs exposed to or infected with zoonotic <i>Bartonella</i> species, suggesting that domestic dogs may be the natural reservoir of these zoonotic organisms. Since dogs are epidemiological sentinels, Peruvian humans may be exposed to infections with <i>B. rochalimae</i> or <i>B. v. berkhoffii</i>.</p></div

Number of blood and serum samples obtained from dogs from each city/village.

<p>N/A: samples not available from this site.</p

Phylogenetic tree of the 60 kDa groEL gene of <i>Bartonella</i> species.

<p>The phylogenetic tree was based on based on 565 bp sequences of the 60 kDa heat shock protein gene (groEL) of <i>Bartonella rochalimae</i> and <i>Bartonella vinsonii</i> subsp. <i>berkhoffii</i> from Peruvian dogs (in <b>boldface</b>) and closely related organisms by using the Maximum Likelihood method based on the Kimura 2-parameter model. Each bacterial name is followed by the isolation source and geographic origin, and the GenBank accession number is provided in parentheses. The numbers at the nodes indicate percentages of bootstrap support based on 1,000 replicates. Percentages corresponding to partitions reproduced in fewer than 50% of bootstrap replicates are collapsed. The scale bar indicates 0.1 substitutions per nucleotide position. Primer regions were deleted from sequences. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in MEGA5 <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002393#pntd.0002393-Tamura1" target="_blank">[20]</a>.</p

Underserved community at the highlands of Peru.

<p>Images illustrate the strong human-animal bond, the number of dogs and other companion animals, and the limited circumstances of the population at one of the study sites in Peru.</p

Frequency of dogs seroreactive^a for <i>Bartonella</i> species in selected cities or villages in Peru.

a<p>By indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay.</p><p>CI: confidence interval.</p

Phylogenetic tree of the 16S–23S rRNA ITS region of <i>Bartonella</i> species.

<p>The phylogenetic tree was based on 534 bp sequences of the 16S–23S rRNA Intergenic Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of <i>Bartonella rochalimae</i> and 621 bp sequences of <i>Bartonella vinsonii</i> subsp. <i>berkhoffii (B.v.b.)</i> from Peruvian dogs (in <b>boldface</b>) and closely related organisms by using the Maximum Likelihood method based on the Kimura 2-parameter model. Each bacterial name is followed by the isolation source and geographic origin, and the GenBank accession number is provided in parentheses. The numbers at the nodes indicate percentages of bootstrap support based on 1,000 replicates. Percentages corresponding to partitions reproduced in fewer than 50% of bootstrap replicates are collapsed. The scale bar indicates 0.1 substitutions per nucleotide position. Primer regions were deleted from sequences. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in MEGA5 <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002393#pntd.0002393-Tamura1" target="_blank">[20]</a>.</p

Frequency of dogs bacteremic^a for <i>Bartonella</i> species in selected cities or villages in Peru.

a<p>By polymerase chain reaction assay and DNA sequencing.</p><p>CI: confidence interval.</p><p>Note: no dog was co-infected with both species of <i>Bartonella</i>.</p

Flowchart of molecular and serological results from Peruvian dogs.

<p><i>Bartonella</i> DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas anti-<i>Bartonella</i> antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA). Percentages represent proportion of bacteremic and/or seropositive dogs in each sub-group.</p