Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype III in a dog with recurrent fever and panniculitis coinfected with Babesia odocoilei-like sp.

Abstract

Abstract A 2-year-old, spayed female, mixed breed dog presented for evaluation of recurrent febrile episodes over 5 months, intermittently accompanied by the development of SC nodules. Histopathologic examination of the SC lesions was indicative of panniculitis. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype III DNA was amplified and sequenced from an excised SC nodule. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody titer was 1:64, whereas Bartonella blood PCR was negative. Babesia odocoilei-like species DNA was amplified and sequenced from 2 blood samples obtained 77 days apart at the time of febrile episodes. Treatment with doxycycline, enrofloxacin, and azithromycin for 6 months resulted in a favorable clinical outcome. Fifteen months later, the dog remained healthy. This case indicates that relapsing fever and panniculitis are possible manifestations of B vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype III infection in dogs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, infection with a B odocoilei-like species has not been reported previously in dogs from Greece.