Aspectos hematológicos, clínicos e epidemiológicos da infecção por Hepatozoon canis por detecção parasitológica em cães da zona rural de Sousa, Paraíba, Brasil

EnglishHepatozoonosis is caused by protozoa of the genus Hepatozoon. In dogs, the infection is caused mainly by Hepatozoon canis, and there are a few descriptions of the prevalence of this infection in the Northeast region of Brazil, especially in the semi-arid region. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon canis infection in dogs in the rural area of Sousa, Paraiba, Brazil, as well as to determine the possible clinical and epidemiological aspects of this infection. Ninety-eight dogs in the rural zone of the municipality of Sousa that were at least 4 months old were evaluated, regardless of their breed or gender. Clinical examinations were carried out, and samples of systemic and peripheral blood were collected to determine the presence of the parasite in blood smears and carry out hemograms. In addition, epidemiological questionnaires about animal health and food management were completed. The prevalence of H. canis infections in dogs was 8.1% (8/98). There were three main changes in the hematological status: thrombocytopenia, anemia and hyperproteinemia, mainly related to percentage of leukocyte infection ≥5%, and also to the presence of clinical signs such as mucopurulent secretion, lymphadenomegaly, dry skin, pale mucous membranes, and lean or cachectic body score portuguesA hepatozoonose e causada por protozoarios do genero Hepatozoon. Em caes, a infeccao ocorre principalmente por Hepatozoon canis, sendo escassas as descricoes de prevalencias desta infeccao na regiao Nordeste do Brasil, sobretudo no Semiarido. Com isso, o trabalho objetivou determinar a prevalencia da infeccao por Hepatozoon canis em caes da zona rural do municipio de Sousa, Paraiba, Brasil, como tambem determinar possiveis sinais clinicos e aspectos epidemiologicos relacionados a esta infeccao. Foram avaliados 98 caes da zona rural do municipio de Sousa, independentemente da raca ou sexo, com idade superior a quatro meses. Foram realizados exames clinicos e colhidas amostras de sangue sistemico e periferico para a pesquisa do parasito em esfregacos sanguineos e hemogramas. Alem disso, foram preenchidos questionarios epidemiologicos acerca do manejo sanitario e alimentar dos animais. A prevalencia de caes positivos para H. canis foi de 8,1% (8/98). Foram observados tres principais alteracoes no quadro hematologico, sendo trombocitopenia, anemia e hiperproteinemia, principalmente relacionadas ao percentual de leucocitos infectados ≥ 5%, e tambem a presenca de sinais clinicos, como secrecao mucopurulenta, linfadenomegalia, pelos ressecados, mucosas hipocoradas e escore corporal magro ou caquetico