Failure to identify an association between serologic or molecular evidence of Bartonella infection and idiopathic rhinitis in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether infection with or exposure to Bartonella spp was associated with idiopathic rhinitis in dogs.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
44 dogs with idiopathic nasal discharge and 63 age- and weight-matched control dogs without nasal discharge and no clinical signs of bartonellosis. Procedures-Serum was tested for antibodies against Bartonella henselae and Bartonella vinsonii subsp berkhoffii with indirect fluorescent antibody assays. Blood was tested for Bartonella DNA with a PCR assay.


RESULTS
Results of the antibody and PCR assays were negative for all 44 dogs with idiopathic nasal discharge. One control dog had antibodies against B henselae; a second control dog had positive PCR assay results. We did not detect a significant association between assay results and group designation.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study failed to confirm an association between idiopathic rhinitis and exposure to or infection with Bartonella spp in dogs. Findings do not rule out the possibility that Bartonella infection may cause nasal discharge in some dogs, but the failure to find any evidence of exposure to or infection with Bartonella spp in dogs with idiopathic nasal discharge suggested that Bartonella infection was not a common cause of the disease.
Hawkins
Eleanor C
EC
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
Johnson
Lynelle R
LR
Guptill
Lynn
L
Marr
Henry S
HS
Breitschwerdt
Edward B
EB
Birkenheuer
Adam J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001473:Bartonella / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial