Anaplasmosis

Canine anaplasmosis is a widespread disease and therefore called a “canine emerging disease”.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in dogs as well as in humans have been detected in many countries of the Northern hemisphere. For Europe, e.g., in Denmark, Germany, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Great Britain, France, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and Sweden infections in mammals (and ticks) have been reported. Due to a spread of ixodid ticks, the geographical distribution of A. phagocytophilum is expanding to northern regions, like South Scandinavia. Also in the USA, South America and Asia the disease was detected. Small mammals, especially rodents, as well as deer and birds, are supposed to be the reservoir.

Anaplasma platys, which causes canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, is more frequently found in warmer regions than A. phagocytophilum. The pathogen has been detected in tropical and warm regions of the world, like the Mediterranean, the Middle East, regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the USA. The Brown Dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and Dermacentor spp. are thought to transmit the rickettsial pathogen.

   

Further information

• Carrade DD, Foley JE, Borjesson DL, et al.: Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis: A review. J Vet Intern Med. 2009, 23, 1129–41
• CVBD Occurrence Map Europe