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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Coproparasitoscopic Examination of Dog Stools for Control and Prevention of Zoonotic Parasite Diseases
Published on: December 15, 2023
Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of 'Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii' in dogs and its effect on
Seagol Samsami1, Mehran Ghaemi2, Hassan Sharifiyazdi1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Abstract:
Emerging Bartonella spp. infection can result in clinical symptoms such as endocarditis in humans and animals. This study analyzed the genetic phylogeny of the Bartonella spp. circulating in Iranian dogs. Also, this is first study on the relationship of Bartonella spp. and haematological factors from dogs in Fars. Ninety-eight blood samples were collected from the dogs of Fars province, Iran. Two different PCRs targeting rpoB gene and ITS sequence of Bartonella spp., followed by sequencing were performed. In addition, CBC and the differential count of WBC were determined. The "prevalence" of Bartonella spp. was 12.2 % (95 % CI: 5.72-18.68 %) in this population and the sequences matched with a newly proposed species; 'Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii'. A significant increase in WBC due to neutrophilia and decreased RBC, Hct, and Hb concentrations were detected in Bartonella spp. infected dogs. The close contact between humans and dogs, and the zoonosis potential of Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii, emphasize on the need for more studies on 'Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii'.
