Death of Military Working Dogs Due to Bartonella vinsonii Subspecies berkhoffii Genotype III Endocarditis and Myocarditis. Issue 3 (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shelnutt, Leslie M.; Balakrishnan, Nandhakumar; DeVanna, Justin; Batey, Kenneth L.; Breitschwerdt, Edward B.
• Is Part Of: Military medicine. Volume 182:Issue 3/4(2017)
• Page Start: e1864
• Page End: e1869
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Surgery, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Periodicals; Surgery, Military -- Periodicals; Medicine, Military; Surgery, Military; Military Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.98023
• DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-4075

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: As a result of extensive field-related activities, military working dogs (MWDs) have an increased occupational risk for acquiring vector-borne infectious diseases. Methods: Indirect fluorescent antibody, Bartonella alpha-proteobacteria growth medium enrichment culture, and 16-23S Bartonella intergenic transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction were performed using blood, serum, or tissue specimens. Results: Endocarditis was diagnosed in three MWDs infected with Bartonella vinsonii subspecies (subsp.) berkhoffii genotype III. One dog was also infected with Bartonella rochalimae . Conclusions: B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype III may represent an occupational risk for MWDs that develop endocarditis or myocarditis. Comprehensive periodic screening for canine vector-borne infections, in particular occult infections caused by Bartonella spp, is prudent to avoid serious or life-threating illnesses.