Preliminary Study on the Genetic Diversity of Hepatozoon canis in Dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Ticks

Hepatozoon canis, a protozoan parasite, is the primary cause of canine hepatozoonosis worldwide, typically causing subclinical infection in dogs but potentially leading to severe illness when accompanied by other pathogens. This study investigates the genetic diversity of H. canis in dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks using bioinformatics analysis. Archived DNA samples from dogs and ticks were analyzed through PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequence comparison using BLAST analysis and phylogenetic analysis using bioinformatics tools. The results revealed genetic variability, identifying several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) critical for distinguishing between different haplotypes. Minimum Spanning Networks created in PopART identified 18 distinct haplotypes across a broad geographical distribution. The study highlights the extensive genetic diversity of H. canis, with implications for understanding its evolutionary dynamics, transmission, pathogenicity, and resistance. Future studies should employ more variable genomic regions to further elucidate the genetic landscape of H. canis, aiding in the development of targeted control strategies and enhancing epidemiological knowledge.