Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy

A documented case of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis coupled with the molecular characterization of the etiological agent is reported for the first time in Northern Italy. The patient showed nonspecific clinical signs such as fever and weight loss. The most relevant clinicopathological findings wer...

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Main Authors: Francesco Dondi, Samanta Russo, Chiara Agnoli, Nicola Mengoli, Andrea Balboni, Alberto Alberti, Mara Battilani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/810587
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author Francesco Dondi
Samanta Russo
Chiara Agnoli
Nicola Mengoli
Andrea Balboni
Alberto Alberti
Mara Battilani
author_facet Francesco Dondi
Samanta Russo
Chiara Agnoli
Nicola Mengoli
Andrea Balboni
Alberto Alberti
Mara Battilani
author_sort Francesco Dondi
collection DOAJ
description A documented case of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis coupled with the molecular characterization of the etiological agent is reported for the first time in Northern Italy. The patient showed nonspecific clinical signs such as fever and weight loss. The most relevant clinicopathological findings were thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and normal azotemic proteinuria consistent with glomerular diseases. Blood smear examination revealed the presence of intracytoplasmatic inclusions in neutrophils associated with high positive serology for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. PCR analysis and sequencing of the amplicon confirm serological diagnosis of A. phagocytophilum. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the detected bacterial strain belongs to the A. phagocytophilum Europe 1 lineage. Data indicates that A. phagocytophilum circulates in natural environments of Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) and its prevalence in dogs could be underestimated because the clinical signs are frequently nonspecific and a certain diagnosis requires the combination of clinicopathological and molecular assays. Pets living in this area should be regularly monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize health risks for humans and pets. Also, surveillance of A. phagocytophilum should be improved in Northern Italy and canine anaplasmosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of persistent proteinuria.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2356-6140
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language English
publishDate 2014-01-01
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series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-9d549ab4c10b43769f8b05cfda98cbd12025-08-20T03:38:23ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2014-01-01201410.1155/2014/810587810587Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern ItalyFrancesco Dondi0Samanta Russo1Chiara Agnoli2Nicola Mengoli3Andrea Balboni4Alberto Alberti5Mara Battilani6Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy“Dr Nicola Mengoli” Veterinary Clinic, Via Di Mezzo 51, 40060 Toscanella di Dozza, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, ItalyA documented case of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis coupled with the molecular characterization of the etiological agent is reported for the first time in Northern Italy. The patient showed nonspecific clinical signs such as fever and weight loss. The most relevant clinicopathological findings were thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and normal azotemic proteinuria consistent with glomerular diseases. Blood smear examination revealed the presence of intracytoplasmatic inclusions in neutrophils associated with high positive serology for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. PCR analysis and sequencing of the amplicon confirm serological diagnosis of A. phagocytophilum. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the detected bacterial strain belongs to the A. phagocytophilum Europe 1 lineage. Data indicates that A. phagocytophilum circulates in natural environments of Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) and its prevalence in dogs could be underestimated because the clinical signs are frequently nonspecific and a certain diagnosis requires the combination of clinicopathological and molecular assays. Pets living in this area should be regularly monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize health risks for humans and pets. Also, surveillance of A. phagocytophilum should be improved in Northern Italy and canine anaplasmosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of persistent proteinuria.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/810587
spellingShingle Francesco Dondi
Samanta Russo
Chiara Agnoli
Nicola Mengoli
Andrea Balboni
Alberto Alberti
Mara Battilani
Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy
The Scientific World Journal
title Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy
title_full Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy
title_fullStr Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy
title_full_unstemmed Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy
title_short Clinicopathological and Molecular Findings in a Case of Canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Northern Italy
title_sort clinicopathological and molecular findings in a case of canine anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in northern italy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/810587
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