Misdiagnose tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in Khon Kaen province, demonstrated using molecular identification
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Abstract
The incidence of tick-borne blood disease in domestic dogs was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. A total of 280 left-over blood samples from domestic dogs were obtained from animal hospitals in Khon Kaen, Thailand, from May 2012–April 2013. Most dogs for which clinical data were available, exhibited loss of appetite and slight fever, but some appeared to be in normal condition and had no history of tick infection. All blood samples were negative for parasites when detected by Giemsa staining and microscopic examination. Eighty (28.57%) out of 280 samples were positive for tickborne pathogen DNA. The most parasite that we detected was Babesia canis (48.75% of infected samples), followed by Ehrlichia canis (33.75%) and mixed infections of B. canis and E. canis (17.5%). All of the samples were negative to Hepatozoon canis. The present results indicate that PCR-based technology has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of B. canis and E. canis. On the other hand, diagnosis of tick-borne pathogens by microscopic examination is not very sensitive, especially in cases of low infection or early stage of infection. Therefore, to ensure the accuracy of the results and to avoid misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment, detection at the molecular level may need to develop for diagnosis in animal clinics or animal hospitals.
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