Emergence of canine hepatozoonosis in western Romania supports the geographical expansion of the disease

Abstract

Hepatozoonosis is an arthropod-borne disease caused by Apicomplexan protozoa from the family Hepatozoidae, genus Hepatozoon described in amphibians, reptiles, birds, marsupials and mammals. Transmission of Hepatozoon spp. in dogs occurs by ingestion of ticks that contains mature oocysts. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. canis in dogs from the west and south-west Romania by using non-molecular and molecular techniques and the relationship between infestation and some epidemiological factors. During study 260 symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs from eleven west and south-western Romania counties were investigated by Diff Quik stain and PCR for presence of Hepatozoon spp. Molecular surveillance of blood samples from dogs in the western and south- western Romania, showed a 9.3% prevalence of canine hepatozoonosis. No statistical differences were observed between prevalence reported in age, gender, race, habitat and provenance. Following amplification of 18S rDNA gene sequence Hepatozoon canis species was identified. The results demonstrate the expansion of this disease transmitted by vectors in non-endemic regions and is first screening in the canine population in Romania.