Intravascular persistence of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Ehrlichia ewingii DNA in the blood of a dog and two family members.

Edward B Breitschwerdt,Donald H Bouyer,Barbara A Qurollo,Ricardo G Maggi,Lucas S Blanton,Tais B Saito,Barbara C Hegarty

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-298

Abstract

BackgroundAnaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys, and ehrlichiosis, caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, the "Panola Mountain Ehrlichia" and Ehrlichia muris-like pathogens have been identified as emerging tick borne infectious diseases in dogs and human patients. Persistent intravascular infection with these bacteria is well documented in dogs, but is less well documented in human beings.MethodsSerology and PCR targeting multiple microbial genes, followed by DNA sequencing, was used to test sequential blood samples. Tissue culture isolation was attempted in two laboratories.ResultsA. platys, E. chaffeensis, and E. ewingii DNA was amplified from two Anaplasma and Ehrlichia seronegative family members and their dog, all lacking typical symptoms of anaplasmosis or ehrlichiosis. Following treatment with doxycycline, the dog and mother were Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. PCR negative.ConclusionsSequential PCR testing provided molecular evidence supporting intravascular persistence of A. platys and Ehrlichia spp. in two humans and their dog. Diagnosticians and clinicians should consider the potential for co-infections due to these tick borne organisms.

Highlights

Anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys, and ehrlichiosis, caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, the "Panola Mountain Ehrlichia" and Ehrlichia muris-like pathogens have been identified as emerging tick borne infectious diseases in dogs and human patients
Among various animal species, including humans, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. can induce acute, self-limiting or fatal infections, while persistent non-clinical infections often occur in dogs [7,8,9]
The mother did not recall any tick infestations in the home before or after purchasing the puppy and no family member reported a history of tick attachment

Summary

Introduction

Anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys, and ehrlichiosis, caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, the "Panola Mountain Ehrlichia" and Ehrlichia muris-like pathogens have been identified as emerging tick borne infectious diseases in dogs and human patients. Anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. platys, and ehrlichiosis, caused by Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, E. muris and the “Panola Mountain Ehrlichia”, are emerging infectious diseases affecting dogs and human patients in North America and other parts of the world [1,2,3]. Canine vector borne diseases (CVBDs), including co-infections with more than one CVBD pathogen, are common in dogs, those with frequent or constant vector exposure to varied tick species [4,5,6]. E. chaffeensis, and E. ewingii DNA was amplified and sequenced from the dog, the physician and her daughter’s blood, but not from two other household members

Methods

Results

Conclusion