Case Report: First case of clinical canine hepatozoonosis in Ukraine
Canine hepatozoonosis is a disease of dogs caused by protozoa transmitted by ticks – Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum.
While H. americanum is widespread in the southern United States, H. canis occurs in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. In Europe, this tick species mainly inhabits the Mediterranean region, but it has recently been reported in Central Europe, likely due to climate change. The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, is considered the main vector for H. canis.
This was addressed in a case report, “First case of clinical canine hepatozoonosis in Ukraine.”
Case Description
In August 2023, a male mixed-breed dog, approximately 3–7 months old, evacuated from Kherson, Ukraine, was admitted to a private veterinary clinic in Kyiv. No information was available regarding the dog’s previous history.
During the clinical examination, the dog presented with elevated body temperature, loss of appetite, lethargy, mild dehydration, and pale mucous membranes. Hair loss, purulent skin lesions, and itching were also observed. “The severity of hepatozoonosis depends on the level of infection and varies from subclinical to life-threatening disease,” the scientists wrote in the study. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic examination and molecular methods (PCR).
Treatment was initiated with imidocarb and doxycycline. By day 16 of treatment, the blood counts had improved, with hematological parameters first increasing and then normalizing. The dog fully recovered. The increasingly frequent detection of H. canis and its vector R. sanguineus in areas outside the Mediterranean region indicates the ongoing spread of this parasite in Europe. This case further confirms the geographic expansion of canine hepatozoonosis.
Rapid diagnosis is challenging
As the scientists explain, the highest level of infection in dogs occurs from May to November. They also add that the prevalence of H. canis in Ukraine is not well studied, although infections have been previously recorded. For example, in spring 2011 in Kyiv, H. canis was isolated from a blood sample of one out of 23 dogs. It should be noted, however, that rapid diagnosis is challenging, as the parasite’s stages may become detectable only about a week after clinical signs appear.
“Since such cases of clinical manifestations of the disease have not been previously reported in Ukraine, our study will help veterinary practitioners diagnose and treat canine hepatozoonosis. Additionally, we aimed to create an impetus for the wider study of the prevalence of H. canis among dogs, cats, and wild carnivores as well as among vectors of the disease, ticks,” they concluded.
Image from the study
The study was supported by the Institute of Parasitology, VETSUISSE Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.
