Bartonella species in dogs and their ectoparasites from Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.

In order to access the prevalence of Bartonella species in dogs, whole blood and any associated ectoparasites were collected from 164 dogs with owners in 25 villages throughout Khon Kaen Province. DNA was extracted from dog blood, 92 ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and 137 fleas (Ctenocephalides spp) and screened by PCR using intergenic spacer region and citrate synthase gene primers. B. clarridgeiae DNA was detected in blood of 3 dogs, 4 C. felis and 1 C. canis; B. rochalimae DNA was found in 1 tick; and B. vinsonii subsp vinsonii DNA was found in 2 C. felis. The findings indicate that dogs residing in northeast Thailand are exposed to diverse Bartonella species that are also potential human pathogens.