The relationship between some anemia parameters and hepididine level in anaplasma phagocytophilum seropositive dogs

Anaplasmosis in dog is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a gram-negative, mandatory intracellular bacteria. Although this bacterium is not contagious, it is transmitted through vector tick. The ticks of the genus Ixodidae are vector for disease in dogs. The organism infects a variety of mammals, including dogs, cats, horses, ruminants, humans and many wild animal species. Transmission to susceptible mammalian hosts is thought to require long-term tick adherence and 24-hour or longer feeding. In dogs, clinical disease is most often associated with the acute, bacterial phase of infection. Animals with clinical disease due to acute infection often have vague symptoms of the disease, including fever, drowsiness, weakness, loss of appetite, and general muscle pain. Abnormalities in laboratory test results are likely to be variable in the acute phase of the disease. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that has been discovered in recent years. In the first reported studies, it has been identified as a peptide antimicrobial in human blood and urine, but in later studies it has been reported to be a type II acute phase reactant and play a regulatory role in iron metabolism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between hepcidin and some anemia parameters in Anaplasma phagocytophilum seropositive dogs and to learn about the use of hepcidin as a biomarker. Blood samples were obtained from 20 dogs with seopositive Anaplasma phagocytophilum. These samples consist of 6 female, 14 male, ages ranging from 7 months to 8 years old dogs. The control group consisted of 10 healthy dogs. In both groups, complete blood counts were performed. Hepcidin, iron ALT, AST and ALP values were also measured in serum samples collected. As a result, hepcidin values between the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) and it was concluded that hepcidin could be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of anaplasma infection in dogs with other parameters. Keywords: Anaplasma, Anemia,Dog, Hepcidin