Parasitological detection and molecular evidence of Hepatozoon canis from canines in Manila, Philippines

Abigail M Baticados¹, Waren N Baticados¹, Enrique T Carlos², Sixto MEAS Carlos², Lorelie A Villarba¹, Sherlyn G Subiaga¹, Jomarte M Magcalas^1
1Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines; ²Makati Dog and Cat Hospital (MDCH), Makati City, Philippines

Abstract: Hepatozoon canis infection in canines is allegedly an underreported disease in the Philippines. In over the past four decades, there are only two published cases in the country. A total of 168 canine blood samples was processed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and blood parasite examination (BPE). The PCR method was able to provide molecular evidence for the presence of Hepatozoon canis genomic DNA in one sample (0.6%). Consequently, Hepatozoon canis gametocytes demonstrating the classical elongated appearance in leucocytes were also consistently seen on Giemsa^®-stained blood smears of the PCR-positive animal after BPE. The study elucidates the parasitological detection and first molecular evidence of Hepatozoon canis infection in the Philippines by PCR.

Keywords: Hepatozoon canis, Manila, polymerase chain reaction, blood parasite examination