2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Archived EDTA-blood and pericardial samples from dogs with pericardial samples were retrospectively included. A quantitative PCR was performed for Leishmania infantum and conventional PCR were performed for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon canis, Babesia spp., Theileria annae, Ricketssia spp. and Bartonel-la spp. Partial sequencing of PCR products from positive samples for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp and Babesia spp was used to confirm species specificity 59 EDTA-blood samples and 49 pericardial effusion samples from 59 dogs with pericardial effusion were analysed. The study included 19 females and 40 males, ranging in age from 7 to 14 years. Twenty dogs presented idiopathic pericardial effusion, 34 neoplastic effusion and in five dogs it was unknown. Canine vector borne pathogens were found in 14 dogs (23.7%). Positive dogs reveal DNA of Leishmania infantum in blood and pericardial effusion (n = 1) or only in blood (n = 4), A. platys in blood (n = 1, coinfected with Leishmania infantum), Babesia canis canis in blood (n = 4), Babesia canis canis in pericardial effusion (n = 1), Babesia equi in pericardial effusion (n = 1), Babesia gibsoni in blood (n = 1) and Hepatozoon canis in blood (n = 1). There was no relationship between ethiology of the pericardial effusion and presence of CVBD.