Genetic characterization and pathogenic effects of Hepatozoon canis infection in police dogs in Egypt

Hepatozoon canis is a protozoan parasite transmitted to dogs through ingesting the arthropod vector (hard ticks), which contains mature protozoal oocysts harboring infectious sporozoites. This study aims to evaluate the blood parameters, biochemical assays and histopathological appraisal of infected police dogs with Hepatozoon canis, from kennels in the police academy of Egypt during 2020–2021. Red blood cells count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood platelets and white blood cells count from collected blood samples were analyzed, and serum albumin, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were analyzed from serum samples. Polymerase chain reaction amplified the 18S ribosomal RNAgene of the Hepatozoon species for genetic analysis, and the deoxyribonucleic acid products were sequenced and added to GenBank. The present study resulted in 5