| Autor: |
Athanasiou LV; Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece., Tsokana CN; Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece., Gougoulis DA; Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece., Tzivara AH; Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece., Dedousi A; Veterinary Research Institute, HAO-Demeter, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece., Katsoulos PD; Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece. |
| Abstrakt: |
The occurrence of co-infected hosts and questing ticks with more than one tick-borne pathogen-as in the case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato-is expected in endemic regions. Their synergy-in terms of pathogenesis and disease severity-has been suggested previously in humans. Limited data exist on the clinicopathological alterations in co-infected sheep. In this study, we investigated the impact of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. seropositivity, alone and in combination, on the hematological parameters of naturally infected sheep. A complete blood count was performed, and indirect immunofluorescence assays were used to detect IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. Single natural exposure to B. burgdorferi s.l. was characterized by low Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values and platelet (PLT) counts, while single exposure to A. phagocytophilum was characterized by low PCV values, low white blood cell (WBC) counts, and an increased risk for leukopenia and neutropenia. Co-exposure resulted in the most severe blood abnormalities; all the blood parameters decreased, and the sheep presented an increased risk for anemia. Our study showed that natural co-exposure to A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. in sheep leads to more severe blood abnormalities and enhances the pathogenic processes. More studies are needed to clarify the possible background mechanisms. |
