부산대학교 도서관

Anaplasma phagocytophilumhas been detected in ticks in Latvia; however, this is the first study to investigate this pathogen in dogs in Latvia. The aims of this study were: (i) to determine A. phagocytophilumseroprevalence in dogs, (ii) to correlate A. phagocytophilumseroprevalence in dogs with the geographic distribution of the tick species Ixodes ricinusand Ixodes persulcatus, and (iii) to determine if seroprevalence for A. phagocytophilumis higher in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of canine granulocytic anaplasmosis (CGA). Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 3 dog groups: (i) clinically healthy dogs (HD, n=400), (ii) clinically healthy hunting dogs (HHD, n=41), and (iii) dogs with a clinical suspicion of anaplasmosis (SD, n=29). Sampling was carried out in regions inhabited by I. ricinus(IR), I. persulcatus(IP), and in regions where both tick species were present (M). SNAP 4Dx test (IDEXX) was used to detect antibodies against A. phagocytophilumin the blood of all dogs; nested PCR was performed in selected dogs of the SD group. Seroprevalence for A. phagocytophilumwas calculated and correlated with the prevalent tick species in the region. A. phagocytophilumseroprevalence was 11.0% in HD, 12% in HHD, and 17% in SD with no significant differences among groups. In the IR region, seroprevalence was 12.5% (34/272) while seroprevalence in the M region was 17% (13/76), and both were significantly higher than the seroprevalence of 2% in the IP region (2/93; p<0.0005). One CGA case was diagnosed. We conclude that A. phagocytophilumseroprevalence in Latvia is within the range reported from other European countries. CGA should be included in the differential list in Latvian dogs with appropriate clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities, especially in I. ricinushabitat areas.