title: First record of autochthonous canine ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis in Romania.
abstract: This case study describes the first genetically confirmed and clinically manifested autochthonous Ehrlichia canis infection in a 9-year-old female mixed-breed dog from Romania. Health screening of the dog included clinical examination, evaluation of stained peripheral blood smear and hematologic variables, as well as serologic testing and molecular analysis. Clinical signs included fever, apathy, dehydration, pale mucous membranes, and weakness. The microscopic examination of the blood smear and immunologic assays for Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and E canis antibodies, and for Dirofilaria immitis antigen yielded negative results. Hematologic abnormalities included moderate nonregenerative anemia, leucopenia with neutropenia, and moderate thrombocytopenia. The biochemical abnormalities identified were hypoalbuminemia, and mildly increased serum enzyme activities of AST and ALT. In addition, increased urea and creatinine levels associated with low urine specific gravity and proteinuria were also present. Nested PCR amplification of the partial E canis 16S rRNA gene demonstrated the presence of this rickettsial pathogen in the dog's blood, which subsequently was confirmed through sequencing based on the 100% homology with GenBank deposited E canis isolates. After specific treatment with doxycycline (10 mg/kg, orally, SID) for one month, the proteinuria, and hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities with the exception of mild azotemia resolved. This report supports the geographical expansion of canine ehrlichiosis caused by E canis in nonendemic regions of Europe.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania.
authors: Doru
authors: D
authors: Morar
authors: Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania.
authors: Gheorghe
authors: G
authors: Dărăbuş
authors: Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania.
authors: Mirela
authors: M
authors: Imre
authors: Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania.
authors: Marius Stelian
authors: MS
authors: Ilie
authors: Department of Animal Production and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania.
authors: Kálmán
authors: K
authors: Imre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Blood parasites; dog; epidemiology; geographic distribution