Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Divya V, Sunitha Karunakaran and Ranjith Mohan M

Abstract:
Anaplasma platys is a tick-borne obligate intracellular rickettsial organism which has tropism for platelets, resulting in infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia. This case is the first microscopic and molecular confirmed case of Anaplasma platys infection in a dog from Palakkad District, Kerala State. In the present case, Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear revealed giant platelets containing pleomorphic basophilic inclusion bodies. Molecular confirmation of pathogen was done by using Taqman based quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for Anaplasma platys targeting gltA gene. Anaemia and thrombocytopenia are the important hematological alterations noticed. Treatment was initiated with Doxycycline along with supportive therapy and the animal had an uneventful recovery.