Rickettsia conorii in dogs with hematological disorders in Marche region: preliminary study

Background. Rickettsia conorii are obligate intracellular coccoid and Gram-negative organisms, responsible for Mediterranean spotted fever1. In Mediterranean countries, dogs are natural host of the infection, however, the clinical progression and clinical signs associated with the disease are not fully understood2. Objectives. The aim of the study is to describe clinical and hematological alterations in dogs seropositive for Rickettsia conorii in central Marche Region (central Italy). The aim of the study is to verify the presence of parasites and in particular of Rickettsia conorii in dogs showing weakness, depression, loss of appetite, difficulty walking and to describe the hematological alterations. Material and Methods. 26 dogs of different breeds, 8 male and 17 female, aged between 5 months and 10 years, were presented from January 2022 to April 2023 to the veterinary hospital for symptoms as depression, loss of appetite, difficulty walking. Hemato-biochemicalstry and tests for vector-borne blood diseases were performed in all patients. Results. All examined dogs Hematological examination showed anemia and/or thrombocytopenia in all dogs and all dogs (26/26) were positive for Rickettsia conorii antibody in serum samples (IgG and IgM). Among these 1/ out 26 was also positive for Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM, 1/ out 26 was also positive for anaplasmia phagocytophilum, and 3/ out 26 were also positive for Ehrlichia canis. Conclusion. The findings of Rickettsia conoriiThe Rickettsia conorii seroprevalence in all dogs with symptoms and hematological disorders as anemia and thrombocytopenia in central Italy shows an increasing tendency in Marche region. the epidemic trend in this region. This vector-borne disease should always be tested in dogs with suspected disease clinical or clinical-pathological symptoms.