PCR

Anaplasma platys is an obligate intracellular rickettsial organism and causes the disease called canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia.

• PCR detection is far more sensitive than the detection from a blood smear. In case of a chronic infection, it can be assumed that pathogens have spread to many sites. However, the concentration of pathogen DNA in the blood may be very low and thus lead to a negative result in the PCR. While a positive PCR is proof of an infection, a negative PCR never rules out an infection.
• PCR horse: In case of a positive result, a differentiation between Theileria equi/Babesia caballi can subsequently be made on request.

real time PCR

Our Babesia PCR is able to detect the following species: B.gibsoni, B.microti, Th.equi, B.caballi, B.bovis, B.bigemina, B.canis und B.divergens.

Borreilia

Borrelia are transmitted by vectors (ticks or lice) and except for B. recurrens and B. dutonii they all have a reservoir among wild animals.

The main mode of transmission is a bite of the tick Ixodes ricinus (European castor bean tick). The bacteria are located in the intestine of the tick, are activated by the blood meal and migrate to the salivary glands. It then takes up to 24 hours until transmission via the saliva takes place. If the tick is properly removed within this period, the risk of infection can be greatly reduced.

In contrast to humans, the clinical signs of Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease) in dogs are rather non-specific and can easily be overlooked. In dogs, there is rarely an erythema migrans. Fatigue, loss of performance, possibly fever and, after a symptom free phase of several weeks, reluctance to move, alternating lameness, emaciation, vomiting and oedema occur. Occasionally, neurological deficits are also observed.

A serious complication is the development of glomerulonephritis with subsequent kidney failure due to the deposition of immune complexes.

The main vector, Ixodes ricinus, occurs throughout Germany but can be found more frequently in certain areas. In such areas, it is therefore recommended to regularly check for any infestation of the dog with ticks and to have a Lyme disease test carried out if the symptoms mentioned above occur.

Infections and diseases in cats and cattle are reported more and more often.

Furthermore, Lyme disease is classified as an emerging bacterial zoonosis.

Grazing animals are often used for blood meals by borrelia-infected ticks. Clinical diseases appear as well as seropositive animals without any clinical signs, with the evaluation often being difficult.

In horses , a variety of signs are associated with borrelia: reduced performance, lameness, changes in the skin, eyes or heart up to neurological deficits and abortions. However, there is still controversy as to whether the infection in horses leads to any clinical signs at all.

Lyme disease in cattle is associated with lameness, weight loss and abortion. Pathogen isolation from clinical material is sometimes successful (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii). Seroconversions have been shown as well as the response to tetracycline therapy.

PCR

Borrelia – Pathogen Detection PCR

We also offer

• Borrelia – Antibody Detection : IgG and IgM (Serology)
• Borrelia / Lyme Disease (blot) -serology

Infection with H. canis occurs by biting or swallowing an infected tick, primarily the brown dog tick (R. sanguineus), which is found in warm countries (mainly Southern Europe, South America, Africa and Asia). By now, the pathogen has also become endemic in several regions of Germany. Horizontal intrauterine transmission is possible as well. Acute infections are characterised by fever, lymphadenitis, anorexia, apathy, myositis and epileptiform seizures (bleeding in meninges). Massive lesions up to necrosis occur in the affected organs (spleen, liver, lung, brain). Chronic infections cause intermittent fever, lymphadenopathy, anaemia, diarrhoea and vomiting. Hyperaesthesia and muscular pain with stiffening of the neck muscles and the trunk muscles occur. Periosteal bone proliferation can occur. In case of low parasitaemia, the infection may be clinically inapparent or may only have mild clinical signs.