Detection of Anaplasma platys in dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks by a quantitative real-time PCR.

causes canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia (CICT). The vector role of Rhipicephalus sang-uineus group ticks has been only suggested, but definitive evidence is lacking. Thisstudy aimed to detect and quantify A. platys DNA in infected dogs and in their respec-tive ticks through a quantitative real-time PCR assay. From March to May 2009, bloodand tick samples from dogs residing in a CICT-endemic area were collected and molec-ularly analysed. Differences (p < 0.05) were detected in the bacterial load betweentick nymphs (3.5 × 10−2± 2.5 × 10−2) and adults (female: 1.2 × 10−1± 1.1 × 10−1; male:9.3 × 10−2± 1.2 × 10−2) and between unengorged (1.1 × 10−1± 2.8 × 10−2) and partially orfully engorged ticks (1.9 × 10−1± 2.7 × 10−2). No difference was found between ticks col-lected from positive (1.1 × 10−1± 0.6 × 10−1) and negative (1.2 × 10−1± 0.3 × 10−1) dogs(p > 0.05). The mean bacterial load detected in positive dogs was lower than that in theirrespective ticks (p > 0.05). This study provides circumstantial evidence of the putative roleof Rhipicephalus sp. I as a vector of this pathogen.