title: Molecular detection and treatment of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand.
abstract: We determined the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. A total of 303 EDTA blood samples were collected from domestic dogs in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, in May 2013. Microscopic observation of Giemsa-stained smears and molecular diagnosis using conventional PCR were performed. Infected dogs were treated with imidocarb dipropionate, a combination of imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline, or doxycycline alone. Seventy-one (23.4%) out of 303 dogs were positive for DNA of tick-borne pathogens. Of the 303 animals, 13.2% and 1.3% were positive for a single infection with Babesia spp or Ehrlichia canis, respec- tively using microscopy; whereas 19.5% and 3.0% were positive using the PCR technique. Co-infection with Babesia spp and E. canis was observed in 0.7%, and coinfection with Hepatozoon canis and E. canis in 0.3%. Infected dogs were treated with the assigned drugs, and elimination of the pathogens was demonstrated by microscopy and PCR. The results indicated that while both microscopic and PCR diagnostic techniques were useful for tick-borne pathogen detection, PCR was more effective. Imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline were found to be effective for treatment of babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, respectively. The present study suggests that the PCR technique has high sensitivity and specificity for Babesia and Ehrlichia diagnosis as well as for detection of Babesia spp, E. canis and H. canis DNA in EDTA blood specimens.
authors.forename: Porntip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laummaunwai
authors.forename: Pranee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sriraj
authors.forename: Ratchadawan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aukkanimart
authors.forename: Thidarut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boonmars
authors.forename: Sirintip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boonjaraspinyo
authors.forename: Somboon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangmaneedet
authors.forename: Prapasara
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Potchimplee
authors.forename: Parin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khianman
authors.forename: Wanchai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maleewong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001403:Babesia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060085:Coinfection; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004285:Dogs; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007095:Imidocarb / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D007095:Imidocarb; D004318:Doxycycline