A molecular epidemiological survey of Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections of dogs in Japan

J Vet Med Sci. 2015 Oct;77(10):1275-9. doi: 10.1292/jvms.15-0079. Epub 2015 May 1.

Abstract

Tick-borne diseases are often encountered in canine clinical practice. In the present study, a molecular epidemiological survey of dogs in Japan was conducted to understand the prevalence and geographical distribution of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. Pathogen-derived DNA in blood samples obtained from 722 dogs with a history of exposure to ticks and/or fleas was examined by PCR. The prevalence of Babesia gibsoni, Babesia odocoilei-like species, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia spp./Anaplasma spp. was 2.4% (16/722), 0.1% (1/722), 2.5% (18/722) and 1.5% (11/722), respectively. While B. gibsoni and Ehrlichia spp./Anaplasma spp. were detected in the western part of Japan, H. canis was detected in Tohoku area in addition to western and central parts of Japan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasma*
  • Anaplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Anaplasmosis / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Babesia*
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / blood
  • DNA, Protozoan / blood
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology*
  • Dogs
  • Ehrlichia*
  • Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / microbiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary*
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S