Open Access
Research (Published online: 18-05-2020)
13. Molecular detection and genetic variability of Ehrlichia canis in pet dogs in Xinjiang, China
Qiao Mengfan, Wang Lixia, Lei Ying, Ren Yan, Cai Kuojun, Zhang Jinsheng, Zhang Zaichao, Yu Weiwei, Peng Yelong, Cai Xuepeng, Li Chongyang, Qiao Jun and Meng Qingling
Veterinary World, 13(5): 916-922

Qiao Mengfan: Department of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China; Department of Life Sciences, School of Biotechnology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410012, China.
Wang Lixia: Department of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
Lei Ying: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, China.
Ren Yan: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
Cai Kuojun: Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830000, China.
Zhang Jinsheng: Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Tacheng, Xinjiang, 834700, China.
Zhang Zaichao: Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Changji, Xinjiang, 831500, China.
Yu Weiwei: Bazhou Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Korla, Xinjiang, 841000, China.
Peng Yelong: Center for Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Aksu, Xinjiang, 843000, China.
Cai Xuepeng: State Key Lab of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China.
Li Chongyang: Department of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
Qiao Jun: Department of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
Meng Qingling: Department of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832003, China.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.916-922

Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]

Article history: Received: 20-12-2019, Accepted: 13-04-2020, Published online: 18-05-2020

Corresponding author: Meng Qingling

E-mail: xjmqlqj@sina.com

Citation: Mengfan Q, Lixia W, Ying L, Yan R, Kuojun C, Jinsheng Z, Zaichao Z, Weiwei Y, Yelong P, Xuepeng C, Chongyang L, Jun Q, Qingling M (2020) Molecular detection and genetic variability of Ehrlichia canis in pet dogs in Xinjiang, China, Veterinary World, 13(5): 916-922.
Abstract

Background and Aim: As a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen, Ehrlichia canis has already posed a threat to public health and safety. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. canis in pet dogs in Xinjiang, China.

Materials and Methods: A total of 297 blood samples of pet dogs and 709 skin ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) were subjected to molecular detection using PCR for E. canis 16S rRNA gene, and then, positive samples were amplified, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed for E. canis gp36 gene.

Results: The PCR detection showed that the positive rate of PCR was 12.12% (36/297) in blood samples and 15.23% (108/709) in tick samples, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of E. canis gp36 protein, these E. canis strains in different geographical regions of the world can be divided into Genogroup I and Genogroup II. Among them, the Xinjiang epidemic strain XJ-6 and 533, 36, 1055, Kasur1, and Jake strains were clustered into subgroup 1.1 of Genogroup I, while the XJ-2, XJ-21, and XJ-35 strains and the TWN1, TWN4, CM180, and CM196 strains were closely related and belonged to subgroup 2.2 of Genogroup II, displaying high genetic diversity.

Conclusion: This is the first study focusing on the molecular epidemiology of E. canis infection in pet dogs, which revealed that E. canis infection had been occurred in Xinjiang, China. More importantly, this study confirmed that the substantial variability in immunoreactive protein gp36 from E. canis strains circulating in pet dogs.

Keywords: Ehrlichia canis, genetic characteristics, gp36, pet dog, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato.