title: A molecular and parasitological survey of Hepatozoon canis in domestic dogs in Turkey.
abstract: In this study, asymptomatic dogs in nine provinces of Turkey were surveyed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of Hepatozoon canis infection. DNA obtained from blood samples collected from 694 domestic dogs (243 stray, 288 shelter, and 163 pets) of both genders and varying ages were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, 285 thin blood smears prepared from these blood samples were also evaluated for microscopic examination. Direct microscopy revealed Hepatozoon gamonts in the peripheral blood of three of 285 (1.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-3.04) tested. Using PCR, 155 of the 694 (22.3%; 95% CI: 19.28-25.61) were found to be positive for the presence of H. canis DNA. The prevalence of infection was higher in adult dogs (26.2%; 95% CI: 22.1-30.7) than young animals (16.4%; 95% CI: 12.2-21.3). Although the prevalence determined by PCR was higher in male dogs (24.5%; 95% CI: 19.6-29.9) than in female dogs (20.8%; 95% CI: 16.9-25.1), gender differences were not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (10.4%; 95% CI: 6.2-16.2) compared to stray (26.3%; 95% CI: 20.9-32.3) and shelter dogs (25.7%; 95% CI: 20.7-31.1), but no significant association between stray and shelter dogs was found for the presence of the parasite. Partial sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene shared 99-100% similarity with the corresponding H. canis isolates. This epidemiological survey revealed a high prevalence of H. canis in dogs from several provinces in Turkey, and it suggests that the age and origin are associated with the parasite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey. Electronic address: maktas@firat.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Munir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sezayi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Özübek
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey; Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kürşat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: İbrahim
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Balkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Ceyhan Veterinary Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Armagan Erdem
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Utuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Akın
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kırbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Şimsek
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nazir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dumanlı
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Dog; Hepatozoon canis; PCR