Haemobartonella canis infection in research dogs.
During 1970-1972 haemobartonellosis occurred in research canines at 2 widely separated institutions. Clinical anemia occurred in a splenectomized dog at a Maryland facility, and subsequent screening disclosed an infection rate of 65% in a group of 20 splenectomized subjects. Treatment was successful, and the animals were used in research. A research institution in Texas encountered a number of dogs with fever (to 106 degrees F) and eosinophilia (to 42%) following minor surgery. Blood from affected animals was injected iv into splenectomized dogs, and 3 of 6 recipients developed haemobartonellosis. Further study was conducted, with some success, to establish a relationship between fever and eosinophilia and Haemobartonella canis infection in nonsplenectomized subjects. Our experiences suggest that haemobartonellosis is a widespread, latent disease of dogs and that significant potential exists for the infection to adversely affect research results.
D000818:Animals; D001475:Bartonellaceae; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013156:Splenectomy
D002701:Chloramphenicol; D010118:Oxytetracycline