title: Clinicopathological and molecular findings in a case of canine Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Northern Italy.
abstract: A documented case of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis coupled with the molecular characterization of the etiological agent is reported for the first time in Northern Italy. The patient showed nonspecific clinical signs such as fever and weight loss. The most relevant clinicopathological findings were thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and normal azotemic proteinuria consistent with glomerular diseases. Blood smear examination revealed the presence of intracytoplasmatic inclusions in neutrophils associated with high positive serology for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. PCR analysis and sequencing of the amplicon confirm serological diagnosis of A. phagocytophilum. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the detected bacterial strain belongs to the A. phagocytophilum Europe 1 lineage. Data indicates that A. phagocytophilum circulates in natural environments of Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) and its prevalence in dogs could be underestimated because the clinical signs are frequently nonspecific and a certain diagnosis requires the combination of clinicopathological and molecular assays. Pets living in this area should be regularly monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize health risks for humans and pets. Also, surveillance of A. phagocytophilum should be improved in Northern Italy and canine anaplasmosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of persistent proteinuria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8259-6458
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dondi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Samanta
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9680-3435
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9004-3834
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnoli
authors.affiliation: "Dr Nicola Mengoli" Veterinary Clinic, Via Di Mezzo 51, 40060 Toscanella di Dozza, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mengoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8049-6645
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balboni
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1708-9473
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3171-2660
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battilani
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy; D010802:Phylogeny