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Canine Trypanosoma evansi infection introduced into Germany
Author(s) -
Defontis Myriam,
Richartz Janina,
Engelmann Nina,
Bauer Christian,
Schwierk Viktoria Maria,
Büscher Philippe,
Moritz Andreas
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2012.00454.x
Subject(s) - trypanosoma evansi , lethargy , meningoencephalitis , direct agglutination test , trypanosomiasis , medicine , serology , immunology , virology , biology , antibody
A 9‐year‐old male Jack Russell Terrier with a history of travel to Thailand was presented with chronic lethargy, weight loss, unilateral anterior uveitis, pancytopenia, hyperglobulinemia, and proteinuria. Numerous trypomastigotes were found on a blood smear, and using molecular methods the parasite was identified as Trypanosoma evansi . After initial response to treatment, the dog experienced a relapse with central neurologic signs 88 days after initial presentation and died. Antibodies to T evansi were detected in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) using a card agglutination test ( CATT / T evansi ), and PCR analysis of CSF for T evansi was positive. Findings at necropsy included marked non‐purulent meningoencephalitis. Chronic infection with T evansi in a dog that returned to Germany following international travel highlights the risk associated with introduction of foreign animal diseases to Europe and the possibility of these infections becoming endemic. Detection of chronic infection and curative therapy of trypanosomiasis are challenging, and infection is usually fatal in the dog.