Detection of Babesia canis vogeli, Babesia gibsoni and Ehrlichia canis by multiplex PCR in naturally infected dogs in South India

Tick borne haemoparasites and haemorickettsiales pose a major health risk to animals worldwide. The present study reports the development and validation of multiplex PCR to simultaneously detect the most prevalent tick borne pathogens infecting dogs in Kerala, South India. The assay targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes of the organisms could amplify well demarcated amplicons of B. canis vogeli, B. gibsoni and E. canis. In the study population, which included both healthy dogs as well as those with clinical symptoms suggestive of the three infections under study, 46.6% animals were infected with one of the three pathogens, amongst which the occurrence of B. gibsoni was significantly the highest. Natural co-infections were also detected in nine dogs, which suggests the suitability of the assay to assist in the selection of pathogen specific treatment protocols. Key words: Multiplex PCR; Babesia canis vogeli; Babesia gibsoni; Ehrlichia canis