Hofmann-Lehmann R, Wagmann N, Meli M L, Riond B, Novacco M, Joekel D, Gentilini F, Marsilio F, Pennisi M G, Lloret A, Carrapiço T, Boretti F S
Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2016 Oct;158(10):691-700. doi: 10.17236/sat00087.
'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic agent that primarily affects immunocompromised human patients. Dogs and foxes are frequently exposed to ticks, and both species are in close proximity to humans. This is the first study to systematically investigate the occurrence of 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' in Canidae in Europa. We analyzed 1'739 blood samples from dogs in Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Portugal and 162 blood samples from free-ranging red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Switzerland. All samples were tested using a previously described multiplex real-time PCR for the Anaplasmataceae family, the 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia' genus and the 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' species. All Anaplasmataceae positive samples were subsequently tested using specific real-time PCRs for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia helvetica. Among the tested animals, one dog from Zurich tested positive for 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis'. The 12-year old West Highland white terrier had been splenectomized 3 months prior to the blood collection and presented with polyuria/polydipsia. Fanconi syndrome was diagnosed based on glucosuria with normoglycemia and hyperaminoaciduria. A. platys and E. canis were detected in 14/249 dogs from Sicily and Portugal; two of the dogs were coinfected with both agents. Four Swiss foxes tested positive for A. phagocytophilium. R. helvetica was detected for the first time in a red fox. In conclusion, 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' infection should be considered in sick dogs, particularly when immunocompromised. The pathogen seems not to be widespread in Canidae in the investigated countries. Conversely, other Anaplasmataceae were more readily detected in dogs and foxes.
“新埃立克体（暂名）”是一种新出现的蜱传人畜共患病原体，主要影响免疫功能低下的人类患者。狗和狐狸经常接触蜱虫，且这两个物种都与人类密切接触。这是第一项系统调查欧洲犬科动物中“新埃立克体（暂名）”存在情况的研究。我们分析了来自瑞士、意大利、西班牙和葡萄牙的1739份犬血样以及来自瑞士的162份自由放养赤狐（赤狐）血样。所有样本均使用先前描述的用于无形体科、“新埃立克体（暂名）”属和“新埃立克体（暂名）”种的多重实时PCR进行检测。随后，对所有无形体科阳性样本使用针对嗜吞噬细胞无形体、血小板无形体、犬埃立克体和瑞士立克次体的特异性实时PCR进行检测。在所检测的动物中，一只来自苏黎世的狗“新埃立克体（暂名）”检测呈阳性。这只12岁的西部高地白梗在采血前3个月已接受脾切除术，表现为多尿/多饮。根据血糖正常伴糖尿和高氨基酸尿症诊断为范科尼综合征。在来自西西里岛和葡萄牙的249只狗中，检测到血小板无形体和犬埃立克体；其中两只狗同时感染了这两种病原体。四只瑞士狐狸嗜吞噬细胞无形体检测呈阳性。在一只赤狐中首次检测到瑞士立克次体。总之，对于患病犬，尤其是免疫功能低下的犬，应考虑“新埃立克体（暂名）”感染。在所调查的国家中，该病原体在犬科动物中似乎并不普遍。相反，其他无形体科病原体在狗和狐狸中更容易检测到。
