Typical and atypical manifestations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in dogs

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2011 Nov-Dec;47(6):e86-94. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5578.

Abstract

Eighteen clinically ill dogs, naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, were examined at a veterinary practice in Baxter, Minnesota. A clinical examination, complete blood cell count, enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for A phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia canis antibodies and Dirofilaria immitis antigen, and a polymerase chain reaction test for A phagocytophilum DNA were obtained for all dogs. Physical examination findings included fever, arthropathy, lymphadenopathy, epistaxis, acute gastritis, cervical hyperpathia, and central nervous system dysfunction. Complete blood cell count abnormalities included thrombocytopenia, morulae in neutrophils, anemia, leukopenia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia, and monocytosis. Seroreactivity to A phagocytophilum was found in 61%, B burgdorferi antibodies in 17%, and D immitis antigen in 5% of the dogs. Fever, arthropathy, neurologic dysfunction, and epistaxis are clinical syndromes that can be associated with A phagocytophilum infection. Treatment with doxycycline resulted in rapid resolution of clinical signs in all dogs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / genetics
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / immunology
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dog Diseases / etiology
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Male
  • Minnesota / epidemiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • DNA, Bacterial