title: Molecular survey of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from central Italy.
abstract: During the 2007-2008 hunting season, 150 spleen samples were collected from free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Italy. The specimens were tested by two nested PCR assays to detect DNA of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, etiologic agent of granulocytic ehrlichiosis of animals and humans, and DNA of Ehrlichia canis, which causes the monocytic ehrlichiosis in canids. None of the foxes were PCR-positive for E. canis; 25 (16.6%) were positive for A. phagocytophilum. No specific gross alterations were detected at necropsy, and no histopathologic lesions found on PCR-positive spleen samples.
authors: Department of Animal Pathology, Prophylaxis and Food Hygiene, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Valentina Virginia
authors: VV
authors: Ebani
authors: Ranieri
authors: R
authors: Verin
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Fratini
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Poli
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Cerri
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005589:Foxes / Q000382:microbiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial