Molecular survey of Ehrlichia canis in blood and ticks collected from stray dogs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ehrlichia canis is the etiological agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, a potentially fatal disease of dogs and is transmitted by the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Recent studies have detected other possible tick vectors. Thus far, only one study has been carried out to determine the prevalence of E.canis using molecular methods and there are as yet no study to that detects the organism in ticks in Malaysia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is known to be a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis and currently is the diagnostic method of choice worldwide. Polymerase chain reaction was performed using a species-specific set of primers for the detection of E.canis in blood and ticks collected from 60 stray dogs from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. Out of a total of 122 ticks, 120 were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and two were identified as Haemaphysalis sp. E.canis DNA could not be amplified from any of the 60 canine blood samples or the 60 tick samples

Molecular study of Babesia in canine blood and comparison between conventional and molecular diagnostic methods.

A molecular study was conducted to detect the presence and determine the prevalence of Babesia species in stray and pet dogs in Kuala Lumpur using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Seventy dogs, 35 from pet dogs presented to clinics around Kuala Lumpur and 35 from stray dogs from the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) dog pound, were included in this study. Thin blood films were made, stained with Giemsa and examined under a light microscope for the detection of Babesia organisms. Two out of 70 dogs (2.8%) were positive for canine Babesia. One was identified as Babesiacanis positive and the other Babesiagibsoni positive. Genus-specific screening PCR was performed on DNA extracted from all 70 samples followed by Babesia canis-specific and Babesia gibsoni-specific PCR. Nine out of 70 dogs (12.8%) were positive following genus-specific screening PCR but of the 9, only one was positive for Babesia canis and one for Babesia gibsoni. The two positive samples were the same as those detected using light microscopy. Both of the positive samples were from the stray group. Haematological abnormalities in the two Babesia positive dogs included anemia and thrombocytopaenia. The prevalence rate of canine babesiosis was 5.8% for the stray group and 0% for the pet group. The overall prevalence of canine babesiosis in Kuala Lumpur was found to be 2.85%.This is the first molecular study of canine Babesia in Malaysia

Prevalence, gross and histopathological findings in the lungs of suspected heartworm infected cats in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Feline heartworm disease is a potentially life-threatening disease of cats that most commonly manifests as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD). Unlike canine heartworm disease, antemortem diagnosis is difficult due to low worm burdens, frequency of all male infections, and non-specific radiographic lesions. Thus, a combination of tests must be carried out and interpreted with care in order to make an accurate diagnosis of feline heartworm disease. Feline heartworm disease has yet to be studied in Malaysia, therefore there was a dire need to investigate and determine the prevalence rate of this disease in the country. Fifty cats comprising 14 strays and 36 pets were included in this study. Serological tests for antigen and antibody (SNAP® IDEXX and Heska ® Solo Step® FH respectively), was performed for all the samples. Knott’s concentration technique, thoracic radiography, followed by necropsy and histopathology were also carried out for the stray cats. Feline heartworm disease was not detected following Knott’s concentration technique or serological testing in the stray cat population. None of the pet cats were positive for feline heartworm disease following serological testing. The most common thoracic radiographic findings in the stray cats were interstitial and bronchoalveolar patterns of the lungs. The most common findings upon necropsy and histopathology included pulmonary oedema and pulmonary congestion and haemorrhage. Since there were no positive feline heartworm disease cases detected, no associations could be made between the radiographic and histopathologic findings and feline heartworm disease. The overall prevalence rate of feline heartworm disease in the Klang Valley, Malaysia was 0%

Megaoesophagus secondary to oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture associated with doxycycline therapy in a domestic shorthair kitten

Oesophageal strictures associated with doxycycline therapy in cats are a rare occurrence but several cases have been reported. A 3-month-old kitten was presented to University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UVH-UPM) with the primary complaint of persistent vomiting. The kitten was prescribed with doxycycline two weeks prior to presentation. Regurgitation was observed during hospitalisation. Radiographs and endoscopy performed revealed findings consistent with a megaesophagus cranial to an oesophageal stricture located at the region of the second thoracic vertebrae

Prevalence of canine babesiosis among stray dogs in Kuala Lumpur and risk factors of hypoglycemia in canine babesiosis

A study was conducted to review the importance of measuring blood glucose levels in canine babesiosis as hypoglycaemia is a sign of profound metabolic derangement and its occurrence and possible risk factors can aid in determining the severity of the disease. A total of sixty stray dogs at Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, were included in this study. Thin blood films from the marginal ear vein of each dog were made and stained with Giemsa stain and observed under the light microscope to detect the Babesia organisms. Four out of the 60 stray dogs (6.7%) were found to be positive for canine Babesia; 5.0% (3/60) were Babesia canis positive and 1.7% (1/60) Babesia gibsoni positive. Blood was collected from the infected dogs and packed cell volume was measured. Serum was obtained and serum glucose levels were determined. Two of the Babesia positive dogs were anemic and two of the positive dogs were hypoglycemic. Risk factors of hypoglycemia could not be evaluated as the number of positive dogs was too low and the results would have been inconclusive

A retrospective study of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors and clinical disorders of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis at University Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Medical records of dogs admitted to the UVH from year 2007 to 2011 were reviewed and the sole inclusion criterion was dogs tested for E. canis antibodies using dot-ELISA, Immunocomb® Canine Ehrlichia Antibody Test kit. Data on signalment (age, sex and breed), occupation of dog (police and non-police), preventive healthcare status, Immunocomb® antibody titer, tick infestation, clinical and clinicopathological findings were obtained. Over the 5 years, only 27 dogs admitted to UVH tested for E. canis antibody. Twenty-two dogs were E. canis seropositive while the remaining 5 dogs were E. canis seronegative. No statistically significant association was found between E. canis seropositivity and sex, age, breeds, occupation of dogs and tick infestation. The most common clinical findings were anorexia, lymphadenopathy, pyrexia, lethargy, ocular signs and splenomegaly. Thrombocytopaenia, lymphopaenia, anaemia (mainly non-regenerative anaemia), hypoalbuminaemia and hyperglobulinaemia were the predominant clinicopathological abnormalities. E. canis seropositive dogs were at risk to develop thrombocytopaenia and lymphopaenia (p<0.05)

Factors influencing the prevalence and distribution of ticks and tick- borne pathogens among domestic animals in Malaysia

Changes in tick-vector densities and a resultant incidence of tick-borne diseases are caused mainly by human activities affecting the environmental ecosystem, especially in tropical countries. As one of the most important invertebrate arthropod vectors of disease transmission, ticks are susceptible to changes in their environment due to their sole dependence of all their life stages on prevailing environment. Upon completion of their lifecycle, ticks depend on the availability of hosts and other several factors related to their surroundings to survive. This review discusses the major factors that influence the prevalence and distribution of tick-borne diseases among domestic animals in Malaysia. It is highly imperative to understand the factors that lead to increase in tick-vector populations, infection intensity and hence the spatial distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in order to prevent their emergence and resurgence as well as to serve as a basis for effective control

Congenital biliary anomaly with secondary cholangiohepatitis in a Siamese cross kitten

A 5-month-old Siamese cross kitten was presented with jaundice and a palpable abdominal mass at the right cranial quadrant. The extra-hepatic biliary system was markedly distended upon abdominal ultrasonography. Complete bile duct obstruction was ruled out due to the presence of urobilinogen, light brown stool, and consistently normal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Head tremors developed on the second day of hospitalization. Tentative diagnoses of congenital biliary anomaly and hepatic encephalopathy were derived and exploratory laparotomy revealed a severely distended and tortuous bile duct indistinguishable from the gallbladder with negative duodenal filling. Modified cholechoduodenostomy was performed however the kitten did not recover from general anaesthesia. Secondary cholangiohepatitis and hepatic encephalopathy were confirmed upon histopathologic examination.Primary congenital biliary atresia or choledochal cyst with secondary cholangiohepatitis was suspected. Biliary anomalies are rare in cats with only two cases reported in the literature. These conditions are often challenging to diagnose and due to the limited treatment options, have a poor prognosis

Application of ventriculoperitoneal shunt as a treatment for hydrocephalus in a dog with syringomyelia and Chiari I malformation

A twenty-month-old Chihuahua male dog was presented to us suffering with ataxia. Based on the physical examination, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, we diagnosed the dog with hydrocephalus, Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia. Treatment consisted of internal medical treatment and the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The ventricular dilatation was relieved and the dog improved neurologically; however, the Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia remained after surgically positioning the VP shunt

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pet and stray cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan that has a worldwide distribution, is known to infect many warm-blooded vertebrates. The feline species including domestic cats are the definitive hosts for Toxoplama gondii and shed the infective oocyst. There is lack of information on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to determine both the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in cats’ feces in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 198 blood and 201 fecal samples were collected from pet and stray cats from the local council, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia respectively. The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in the Klang Valley was found to be 5.5%. There was a high prevalence (10.5%) of T. gondii DNA detected in the cat fecal samples in both pet and stray cats suggestive of T. gondii oocyst shedding. Stray cats showed a higher seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii than the pet cats. However, comparative analysis using Chi-square test showed no significant difference between both groups (P>0.05). Higher prevalence (10.5%) of cats shedding T. gondii DNA as compared to the seroprevalence (5.5%) was found in the cat population in the Klang Valley. The high prevalence of cats shedding T. gondii DNA is alarming as this may directly reflect the number of oocysts excreted into the environment posing a significant public health hazard