Prevalence of anti-platelet antibodies in dogs naturally co-infected by Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract

Thirty naturally infected dogs were divided into three groups (10 animals each): group I (canine leishmaniosis), group II (canine ehrlichiosis) and group III (dogs co-infected by both infectious agents). Ten clinically healthy dogs were used as controls. A haematological profile was obtained and dog sera were assessed for the presence of platelet-bound IgM and IgG antibodies (PBIgM, PBIgG) using flow cytometry. Eight of the naturally co-infected dogs (80%), five of the leishmaniotic dogs (50%) and six of the ehrlichiotic dogs (60%) had detectable levels of platelet-bound antibodies (PBIg). No PBIg were observed in the control group. The hypothesis that Leishmania and Ehrlichia co-infection could more severely affect the immune response of infected dogs is discussed.

• Authors: Laura Cortese, Giuseppe Terrazzano, Diego Piantedosi, Michela Sica, Michele Prisco, Giuseppina Ruggiero, Paolo Ciaramella
• Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997) (Vet J) Vol. 188 Issue 1 Pg. 118-21 (Apr 2011) ISSN: 1532-2971 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20456989 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial
• Antibodies, Protozoan
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Bacterial (blood, immunology)
• Antibodies, Protozoan (blood, immunology)
• Blood Platelets (immunology)
• Dog Diseases (blood, immunology)
• Dogs
• Ehrlichia canis (immunology)
• Ehrlichiosis (blood, immunology, veterinary)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry (veterinary)
• Immunoglobulin G (blood, immunology)
• Immunoglobulin M (blood, immunology)
• Leishmania infantum (immunology)
• Leishmaniasis, Visceral (blood, immunology, veterinary)
• Male