Prevalence of anti-platelet antibodies in dogs naturally co-infected by Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis.
Thirty naturally infected dogs were divided into three groups (10 animals each): group I (canine leishmaniosis), group II (canine ehrlichiosis) and group III (dogs co-infected by both infectious agents). Ten clinically healthy dogs were used as controls. A haematological profile was obtained and dog sera were assessed for the presence of platelet-bound IgM and IgG antibodies (PBIgM, PBIgG) using flow cytometry. Eight of the naturally co-infected dogs (80%), five of the leishmaniotic dogs (50%) and six of the ehrlichiotic dogs (60%) had detectable levels of platelet-bound antibodies (PBIg). No PBIg were observed in the control group. The hypothesis that Leishmania and Ehrlichia co-infection could more severely affect the immune response of infected dogs is discussed.
Cortese
Laura
L
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Terrazzano
Giuseppe
G
Piantedosi
Diego
D
Sica
Michela
M
Prisco
Michele
M
Ruggiero
Giuseppina
G
Ciaramella
Paolo
P
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000276:immunology*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000276:immunology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M