Death of Military Working Dogs Due to Bartonella vinsonii Subspecies berkhoffii Genotype III Endocarditis and Myocarditis.

OBJECTIVES

As a result of extensive field-related activities, military working dogs (MWDs) have an increased occupational risk for acquiring vector-borne infectious diseases.

METHODS

Indirect fluorescent antibody, Bartonella alpha-proteobacteria growth medium enrichment culture, and 16-23S Bartonella intergenic transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction were performed using blood, serum, or tissue specimens.

RESULTS

Endocarditis was diagnosed in three MWDs infected with Bartonella vinsonii subspecies (subsp.) berkhoffii genotype III. One dog was also infected with Bartonella rochalimae.

CONCLUSIONS

B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii genotype III may represent an occupational risk for MWDs that develop endocarditis or myocarditis. Comprehensive periodic screening for canine vector-borne infections, in particular occult infections caused by Bartonella spp, is prudent to avoid serious or life-threating illnesses.