title: Molecular detection of tick-borne rickettsial and protozoan pathogens in domestic dogs from Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Canine tick-borne parasites have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. In addition to their veterinary importance, domestic dogs play an important role in the transmission cycles of some agents by acting as reservoirs and sentinels. This study investigated Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in asymptomatic dogs in ten provinces of Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  DNA obtained from blood samples collected from 757 domestic dogs (243 stray, 351 shelter, 163 pet) of both sexes and various ages were evaluated using PCR and reverse line blotting (RLB) assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 757 dogs tested, 41 (5.4%) were found to be infected with one or more parasites. Ehrlichia canis (37/757, 4.9%) was the most common canine tick-borne pathogen, followed by Anaplasma platys (4/757, 0.5%). Babesia canis and Theileria annulata were each detected in 1 (0.13%) sample. Combined infection of E. canis and A. platys was detected in 2 (0.3%) samples. The prevalence of tick-borne pathogens was higher in adult dogs (6.8%) than in those under one year old (3.1%). Difference in infection rate of male and female dogs was not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (1.2%) compared to stray (7.4%) and shelter dogs (6%) although the difference between stray and shelter dogs was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Babesia canis, T. annulata, A. platys, and E. canis species were identified at the molecular level in dogs in several provinces of Turkey, with E. canis being the most common species among tick-borne pathogens. Detailed studies should be conducted regarding the existence and prevalence of B. canis and Dermacentor reticulatus in eastern Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey. 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. sozubek@firat.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Sezayi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Özübek
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey. kaltay@cumhuriyet.edu.tr.|Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. kaltay@cumhuriyet.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Kürşat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey. ndsipek@dicle.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Neval Duygu Sayin
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ipek
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. balkayaibrahim@atauni.edu.tr.
authors.forename: İbrahim
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Balkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Ceyhan Veterinary Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. autuk@cu.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Armagan Erdem
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Utuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. akirbas@atauni.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Akın
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kırbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey. ssimsek@firat.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Şimsek
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey. ndumanli@firat.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Nazir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dumanlı
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan