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El Hamiani Khatat S, Daminet S, Duchateau L, Elhachimi L, Kachani M, Sahibi H. Epidemiological and Clinicopathological Features of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Dogs: A Systematic Review. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:686644. [PMID: 34250067 PMCID: PMC8260688 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.686644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by Ixodid ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates of A. phagocytophilum in Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially with Borrelia burgdorferi, complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah El Hamiani Khatat
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Sylvie Daminet
- Department of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Duchateau
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Latifa Elhachimi
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Unit of Parasitology, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Malika Kachani
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Hamid Sahibi
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Unit of Parasitology, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat, Morocco
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Keyte S, Abdullah S, James K, Newbury H, Helps C, Tasker S, Wall R. Prevalence and distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from dogs in the United Kingdom. Vet Rec 2021; 188:e12. [PMID: 33818768 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis in dogs and causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Tick-borne anaplasmosis has been recognised as an emerging zoonotic health concern worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks collected from dogs in the UK and map its distribution. Routine surveillance of tick-borne disease is essential as part of a "One Health" approach to infectious disease management. METHODS Tick DNA samples collected in 2015 as part of a large-scale tick surveillance programme were analysed using a previously validated diagnostic quantitative PCR for A. phagocytophilum. RESULTS PCR analysis indicated that 138 out of 2994 tick DNA samples analysed were positive for A. phagocytophilum, a prevalence of 4.6% (95% CI: 3.89-5.42). Among these 138 tick DNA samples, 131 were from Ixodes ricinus, six were from Ixodes hexagonus and one was from Ixodes canisuga. Three of the I. ricinus tick DNA samples positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA were also positive for Borrelia spp. DNA and one was positive for Babesia spp. DNA, indicating co-infection. The ticks positive for the pathogen DNA were found widely distributed throughout the UK. CONCLUSIONS These data provide important information on the prevalence and wide distribution of A. phagocytophilum in ticks infesting dogs within the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Keyte
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Swaid Abdullah
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate James
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Diagnostic Laboratories, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Chris Helps
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Diagnostic Laboratories, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Diagnostic Laboratories, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Wall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Chirek A, Silaghi C, Pfister K, Kohn B. Granulocytic anaplasmosis in 63 dogs: clinical signs, laboratory results, therapy and course of disease. J Small Anim Pract 2017; 59:112-120. [PMID: 29171663 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical signs, laboratory results, therapy and course of disease in dogs with canine granulocytic anaplasmosis in which co-infections had been excluded. METHODS Medical records of dogs naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum were retrospectively evaluated with regard to clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities at the time of presentation, therapy and course of disease. RESULTS Nine hundred and seventy-four dogs with clinical signs suspicious for canine granulocytic anaplasmosis were tested for A. phagocytophilum DNA by modified real-time PCR; 72 dogs had a positive result. Nine of the positive dogs were excluded from further evaluation due to other diseases or lack of data. The most common clinical signs in the 63 A. phagocytophilum-positive dogs included in the study were lethargy and reduced activity (83%), fever (67%) and inappetence (63%). Thrombocytopenia was the most common laboratory abnormality (86%), followed by increased liver enzyme activities and hyperbilirubinaemia (77%), anaemia (70%), hypoalbuminaemia (62%) and leucocytosis (27%). Of 36 thrombocytopenic dogs tested for platelet-bound antibodies, 44% were positive. Of the 63 infected dogs, 59 (97%) recovered, two dogs died (epileptic seizures and immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia) and two were lost to follow-up. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE In areas where it is endemic, canine granulocytic anaplasmosis should be considered as a potential cause of acute nonspecific clinical signs or immune-mediated disease if tick exposure cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chirek
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitoloy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80802, Munich, Germany.,National Center of Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K Pfister
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitoloy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80802, Munich, Germany.,Parasite Consulting GmbH, CH-3006, Bern, Switzerland
| | - B Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
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Mylonakis ME, Xenoulis PG, Theodorou K, Siarkou VI, Steiner JM, Harrus S, Leontides L, Rallis T, Suchodolski JS, Koutinas CK, Koutinas AF. Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in experimentally induced and naturally occurring canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis). Vet Microbiol 2014; 169:198-202. [PMID: 24530039 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichia canis infection causes multisystemic disease in dogs (canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, CME) which is associated with variable morbidity and mortality. Atypical clinical manifestations, including gastrointestinal signs, may occasionally occur in CME and approximately 10-15% of dogs are presented with historical or clinical evidence of vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal discomfort. The objective of this study was to investigate if there are any alterations in serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) in dogs with experimentally induced or naturally occurring monocytic ehrlichiosis. Serum samples from 10 Beagle dogs experimentally infected with E. canis and two healthy uninfected Beagles were serially examined; samples from 20 naturally infected dogs (10 with non-myelosuppressive [NME] and 10 with myelosuppressive [ME] ehrlichiosis) were also examined at a given point in time (cross-sectional sampling). None of the experimentally infected Beagles showed gastrointestinal signs or increased cPLI concentrations prior to or following the artificial infection. Three naturally infected dogs with NME and one with ME demonstrated serum cPLI concentrations in the diagnostic range for pancreatitis (>400 μg/L) without showing gastrointestinal signs. The results of the present study indicated that 4/20 (20%) of dogs naturally infected with E. canis demonstrated increased serum cPLI concentrations consistent with mild and clinically inapparent pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathios E Mylonakis
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (CAC-AUTh), 11 Stavrou Voutyra Street, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis G Xenoulis
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4474 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Konstantina Theodorou
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (CAC-AUTh), 11 Stavrou Voutyra Street, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Victoria I Siarkou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Greece
| | - Jörg M Steiner
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4474 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Leonidas Leontides
- Laboratory of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Animal Health Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 224 Trikalon Street, 43100 Karditsa, Greece
| | - Timoleon Rallis
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (CAC-AUTh), 11 Stavrou Voutyra Street, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Jan S Suchodolski
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4474 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Christos K Koutinas
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (CAC-AUTh), 11 Stavrou Voutyra Street, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexander F Koutinas
- Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (CAC-AUTh), 11 Stavrou Voutyra Street, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Carrade D, Foley J, Borjesson D, Sykes J. Canine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: A Review. J Vet Intern Med 2009; 23:1129-41. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0384.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Kohn B, Galke D, Beelitz P, Pfister K. Clinical features of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis in 18 naturally infected dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2008; 22:1289-95. [PMID: 18783353 DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0180.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis (CGA), is a Gram-negative intracellular organism transmitted by ixodid ticks. Thus far, only a few clinical studies evaluating dogs with CGA have been published. OBJECTIVES Evaluation of dogs naturally infected with A. phagocytophilum in which known co-infections were excluded. ANIMALS Eighteen dogs with CGA. METHODS Prospective study. The diagnosis of CGA was based on a positive PCR test result; dogs with co-infections were excluded. History, clinical findings, CBC, clinical biochemistry, infectious disease screening, diagnostic imaging, and the course of disease were evaluated. RESULTS CGA was diagnosed based on a positive PCR test for A. phagocytophilum; 10 dogs also had morulae in neutrophils. Six of 18 dogs were seronegative to A. phagocytophilum, the others were seropositive. All dogs were acutely ill. The most common clinical findings were lethargy, inappetence, fever, and splenomegaly. Abnormal laboratory results included thrombocytopenia, anemia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and abnormally high plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. In 6 of 10 dogs tested, the platelet-bound antibody test was positive; Coombs' test was negative in 9 dogs. All dogs were treated with doxycycline and recovered. PCR testing as well as blood smear analysis for morulae were negative in 14 tested dogs 2-8 weeks after beginning treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Clinical findings in dogs with CGA were nonspecific. Positive platelet-bound antibody test results suggest immune-mediated platelet destruction as an important pathogenic mechanism. With correct diagnosis and treatment, prognosis is good.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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