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Anaplasma platys in bone marrow megakaryocytes of young dogs
A Sara De Tommasi1, Gad Baneth2, Edward B Breitschwerdt3
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
Abstract:
Anaplasma platys is an obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogen that infects platelets of dogs, forming basophilic intracellular morulae. In the present report, cellular inclusions were documented in bone marrow thrombocyte precursors of two young naturally infected dogs, indicating that A. platys can infect megakaryocytes and promegakaryocytes.
Insights
Anaplasma platys, a canine pathogen, infects platelets. This study found it can also infect megakaryocytes and promegakaryocytes, the bone marrow precursors to platelets.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Canine Infectious Diseases
- Rickettsial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Anaplasma platys is an obligate intracellular bacterium.
- It is known to infect canine platelets, forming characteristic morulae.
Observation:
- Cellular inclusions, consistent with Anaplasma platys infection, were observed.
- These inclusions were found in bone marrow thrombocyte precursors.
Findings:
- Anaplasma platys demonstrates the ability to infect megakaryocytes and promegakaryocytes.
- This expands the known cellular tropism of this canine pathogen.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a broader impact of Anaplasma platys on canine hematopoiesis.
- This may influence the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of canine anaplasmosis.
