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Backus L, Foley P, Foley J. A compartment and metapopulation model of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Infect Dis Model 2024; 9:713-727. [PMID: 38659493 PMCID: PMC11039326 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a fatal tick-borne zoonotic disease that has emerged as an epidemic in western North America since the turn of the 21st century. Along the US south-western border and across northern Mexico, the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is responsible for spreading the disease between dogs and humans. The widespread nature of the disease and the ongoing epidemics contrast with historically sporadic patterns of the disease. Because dogs are amplifying hosts for the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria, transmission dynamics between dogs and ticks are critical for understanding the epidemic. In this paper, we developed a compartment metapopulation model and used it to explore the dynamics and drivers of RMSF in dogs and brown dog ticks in a theoretical region in western North America. We discovered that there is an extended lag-as much as two years-between introduction of the pathogen to a naïve population and epidemic-level transmission, suggesting that infected ticks could disseminate extensively before disease is detected. A single large city-size population of dogs was sufficient to maintain the disease over a decade and serve as a source for disease in surrounding smaller towns. This model is a novel tool that can be used to identify high risk areas and key intervention points for epidemic RMSF spread by brown dog ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Backus
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Foley
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Janet Foley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Atero N, Córdova-Bührle F, Salgado-Caxito M, Benavides JA, Fernández M, Diethelm-Varela B, Ramos R, Sapiente Aguirre C, Trujillo F, Dürr S, Mardones FO. An assessment of the owned canine and feline demographics in Chile: registration, sterilization, and unsupervised roaming indicators. Prev Vet Med 2024; 226:106185. [PMID: 38507889 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The global rise in companion animal populations, particularly dogs and cats, is driven by emotional and social benefits for owners, and their population management is becoming critically important to avoid a plethora of adverse effects on themselves, humans, and wildlife. We estimated the size and density of the owned canine and feline population in Chile and evaluated the status of microchipping, registration, sterilization rates, and the proportion of owned animals that roam unsupervised. A cross-sectional household survey in 36 districts was conducted and standard inferential statistics was employed to analyze differences between cats and dogs, sexes within each species, and between rural and urban areas. Additionally, two negative binomial models with mixed effects were developed to predict the number of dogs and cats per households. Two methods were used to compare population size estimates at the country level, multiplying: (1) the estimated mean number of companion animals per household by the estimated number of households at the country level, and (2) the estimated human:dog and human:cat ratios by the total human population. The study involved 6333 respondents, of which 76% (74% urban; 83% rural) owned companion animals (dogs and/or cats). Individuals in rural multi-person households increase the probability of owning dogs and/or cats. Additionally, women exhibit a greater inclination towards cat and dog ownership compared to men, while those over 30 years old demonstrate lower rates of companion animal ownership in contrast to the 18-30 age group for both species. The overall human:dog and human:cat ratios estimated were 2.7:1, and 6.2:1, respectively. The estimated total number of owned dogs and cats in Chile ranged from 9.6 to 10.7 million, depending on the methodological approach, while national median density of companion animals was 12 dogs per km2 (ranging from 0.02 to 7232) and 5 cats per km2 (ranging from 0.01 to 3242). This nationwide study showed one of the highest percentages of households with companion animals in Latin America and relatively low registration and sterilization rates, highlighting the need to strength long-term public policies to control populations of companion animals and promote responsibility in pet ownership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolhole Atero
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Córdova-Bührle
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Dirección de Transferencia y Desarrollo, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Julio A Benavides
- UMR MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad y Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miriam Fernández
- Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas (ECIM), Las Cruces, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Núcleo Milenio para la Ecología y la Conservación de los Ecosistemas de Arrecifes Mesofóticos Templados (NUTME), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Benjamín Diethelm-Varela
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile
| | - Romina Ramos
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Sapiente Aguirre
- Programa Nacional de Tenencia Responsable de Animales de Compañía (PTRAC), Subsecretaría de Desarrollo Regional y Administrativo (SUBDERE), Ministerio del Interior y Seguridad Pública de Chile; Departamento de Planificación y Gestión, de la División de Administración y Finanzas, Subsecretaría de Desarrollo Regional y Administrativo (SUBDERE), Ministerio del Interior y Seguridad Pública de Chile, Chile
| | - Florencia Trujillo
- Programa Nacional de Tenencia Responsable de Animales de Compañía (PTRAC), Subsecretaría de Desarrollo Regional y Administrativo (SUBDERE), Ministerio del Interior y Seguridad Pública de Chile
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fernando O Mardones
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820244, Chile.
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Millán J, Cevidanes A, Di Cataldo S, Hernández C, Peñaloza-Madrid D, Sallabery-Pincheira N, Terio K, Casais R. Epizootiology and Pathology of Sarcoptic Mange in Two Species of Fox (Lycalopex spp.) in Human-Dominated Landscapes of Central Chile. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:421-433. [PMID: 38294760 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei can have catastrophic consequences for wildlife. We inspected 122 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), collected by active (n=66) or passive (n=56) surveillance, and 28 South American gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus; all from passive surveillance) for mange in Chile (2015-19). In Andean foxes, gross lesions of mange were diagnosed in 24% of passively and 9% of actively collected foxes, although observed prevalences might be underestimated. Seroprevalence was 37 and 18%, respectively, indicating that some individuals recovered from infection or were developing the disease. No differences were found between age and sex groups. Comparing data from passive surveillance, occurrence of gross lesions was lower in gray foxes (5%). Body condition was significantly better in Andean foxes without lesions than in diseased foxes, which had significantly lower albumin concentrations than healthy individuals. Among the 12 foxes with gross lesions, four, six and two individuals were categorized as having type I, type II, and type III lesions, respectively, based on clinical severity. Histologic severity correlated with gross lesions and included irregular epidermal hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis, which was marked in type II and III infections. Conventional PCR targeting of the cox1 gene fragment revealed four nucleotide sequence types, showing 99-100% identity among them and between 99% and 100% identity with previously published sequences of S. scabiei. A significant association between the occurrence of mange in foxes and distance to the nearest house was found. We speculate that diseased foxes tended to approach human settlements, perhaps in search of food. Visual inspection of 211 rural dogs from the study area did not reveal gross mange lesions in any animal. Sarcoptic mange is enzootic in the Andean fox in the study area and should be considered in the management of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Avda. de Ranillas, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER, Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Claudia Hernández
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Peñaloza-Madrid
- Parque Safari Chile, Ruta H-30, Km 5, Camino A Doñihue S/N, Rancagua, O'Higgins 2820000, Chile
| | - Nicole Sallabery-Pincheira
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Karen Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA
| | - Rosa Casais
- Center for Animal Biotechnology, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, 33394 Deva, Asturias, Spain
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Cancino-Faure B, González CR, Piñeiro González A, Pinochet S, Bustos S, Morchón R, Piñeiro Cazaux A, Quezada Aguilar I, Salas Espinoza M, Acevedo Salgado R, Barra Díaz C, Segovia C, Lozada-Yavina R, Álvarez Rojas CA. Filarial nematodes in domestic dogs and mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from semi-rural areas in Central Chile. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1334832. [PMID: 38260205 PMCID: PMC10800365 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1334832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change, competent vectors, and reservoir animals are the main factors for developing vector-borne zoonotic diseases. These diseases encompass a significant and widespread category of pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths) transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods, including ticks, fleas, lice, triatomines, mosquitoes, sandflies, and blackflies. In Chile, several studies have explored the role of dogs as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens; however, there is a lack of research investigating the presence of pathogens in arthropods. Specifically, within the order Diptera, limited knowledge exists regarding their roles as carriers of pathogens. This study aimed to examine the presence of zoonotic filarial nematodes in mosquitoes and dogs within a previously unstudied semi-rural area of Central Chile. Two hundred samples of dog blood and seven hundred and twenty-four mosquitoes were collected during 2021-2022 and studied for filarial nematodes by PCR. The prevalence of microfilaremic dogs detected by Knott's test was 7.5%, with Acanthocheilonema reconditum being the only species identified. Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus was the most abundant mosquito species collected, and 15 out of 65 pools were positive for filarial nematodes. Among these pools, 13 tested positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum, and two tested positive for Setaria equina through PCR. Additionally, five Culex pipiens specimens were positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Despite the absence of zoonotic filarial species, these findings underscore the significance of monitoring pathogens in mosquitoes and animal hosts and continued research into the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, particularly in unexplored regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Cancino-Faure
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Christian R. González
- Instituto de Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Piñeiro González
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Soledad Pinochet
- Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Sofía Bustos
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Disease and One Health Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Miguel Unamuno, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Carmen Barra Díaz
- Clínica Veterinaria del Dr. Alejandro Piñeiro Cazaux, San Clemente, Chile
| | - Christian Segovia
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Salud Ecosistémica, Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Rafael Lozada-Yavina
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Modelamiento Matemático Aplicado, Departamento de Matemática, Física y Estadística, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Cristian A. Álvarez Rojas
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Rangel-Negrín A, Gómez-Espinosa EE, Chavira-Ramírez DR, Dias PAD. Dog barks influence the physiological stress and behavior of a wild primate. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163585. [PMID: 37088396 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Non-lethal impacts of dogs on primates have seldom been assessed. We used an experimental approach to determine if mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) perceive dog barks as an aversive stimulus and thus display physiological and behavioral responses toward simulated barks. For one year (1754 h of observations) we studied 16 adult males belonging to five groups in Los Tuxtlas (Mexico), and recorded the occurrence of naturally occurring dog barks, their sound pressure level (SPL), and the behavioral responses of howler monkeys to barks. We then exposed males to bark playbacks at two SPL treatments, 40 and 80 dB in a total of 50 experiments. We assayed glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in fecal samples (fGCM) as a marker of the physiological stress response of males. We also recorded the duration of vigilance, vocalizations, and flight in relation to playbacks. Naturally occurring barks were frequent and usually elicited behavioral responses by males. fGCM concentrations increased after bark playbacks and with stimuli intensity. Time spent vigilant increased following playbacks independently of stimuli intensity but both vocalizations and flight were linked to stimuli intensity: vocalizations were the longest after barks played-back at 80 dB, but males spent more time fleeing in response to 40 dB bark playbacks. These results provide evidence that dog barks are pervasive in the habitat of mantled howler monkeys living at Los Tuxtlas and disturb males, both physiologically and behaviorally. Although the potential costs of physiological and behavioral responses could not be determined, there is sufficient evidence to assume that they do have negative impacts on individuals. Therefore, our study provides avenues for future research on dog-wildlife interactions and valuable information for the design of conservation actions aimed at mitigating the impact of dogs on mantled howler monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Rangel-Negrín
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuro-etología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.
| | | | - David Roberto Chavira-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pedro A D Dias
- Primate Behavioral Ecology Lab, Instituto de Neuro-etología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.
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Co-infection patterns of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in owned free-ranging dogs in central Chile. Vet Res Commun 2022; 47:575-585. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-10009-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWe investigated the co-occurrence of the nine of the most relevant canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) using conventional and real-time PCR and evaluated risk factors and potential non-apparent haematological alterations associated with co-infection in 111 rural, owned, free-ranging dogs in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.At least one pathogen was detected in 75% of the dogs. DNA of Anaplasma platys (Ap; 36%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp; 31%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc; 28%), Trypanosoma cruzi (17%), Leishmania spp. (4.5%), and Acanthocheilonema reconditum (1%) was detected. All dogs were negative for Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Piroplasmida, and Hepatozoon spp. Thirty-eight dogs (34%) were coinfected. CMhp was involved in 71%, Mhc in 58%, and Ap in 50% of the co-infections. The most common co-infection pattern was CMhp–Mhc (37% of the cases). The prevalence of Ap was higher in juvenile than in adult dogs, whereas the opposite was found for CMhp and Mhc. Adult dogs were four times more likely of being co-infected than juveniles. Co-infected animals showed higher white blood cell count, segmented neutrophil count, and GGT levels than non-co-infected dogs. Clinically healthy but infected dogs may act as reservoirs of CVBP, and their free-ranging behavior would facilitate the spread of these pathogens to other dogs as well as human beings or wild carnivores.
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Heterogeneity in dog population characteristics contributes to chronic under-vaccination against rabies in Guatemala. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010522. [PMID: 35797418 PMCID: PMC9295952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Guatemala has held dog rabies mass vaccination campaigns countrywide since 1984, yet the virus remains endemic. To eliminate dog-mediated human rabies, dog vaccination coverage must reach at least 70%. The Guatemala rabies program uses a 5:1 human:dog ratio (HDR) to estimate the vaccination coverage; however, this method may not accurately reflect the heterogeneity of dog ownership practices in Guatemalan communities. We conducted 16 field-based dog population estimates in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Guatemala to determine HDR and evaluate the standard 5:1. Our study-derived HDR estimates varied from 1.7–11.4:1 (average 4.0:1), being higher in densely populated sites and lowest in rural communities. The community-to-community heterogeneity observed in dog populations could explain the persistence of rabies in certain communities. To date, this is the most extensive dog-population evaluation conducted in Guatemala, and can be used to inform future rabies vaccination campaigns needed to meet the global 2030 rabies elimination targets.
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Voupawoe G, Anthony W, Hattendorft J, Odermatt P, Zinsstag J, Mauti S. Preparing liberia for rabies control: Human-dog relationship and practices, and vaccination scenarios. Acta Trop 2022; 229:106331. [PMID: 35139326 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To reach zero dog-related human rabies deaths by 2030, Liberia must prioritize rabies as a public health threat. Understanding dog demography parameters are imperative and sets the basis for planning cost-effective and sustainable mass dog vaccination programs nationwide. We conducted a cross-sectional household survey in eleven rural districts of Bong and one urban district of Montserrado County to gather baseline information on the canine population, human-mediated dog movements, people's relationships and practices towards dogs, and further information to estimate costs for a nationwide campaign. In total, 1282 respondents were interviewed (612 rural and 670 urban). About 34% of the rural and 37% of the urban households owned at least one dog. The canine: human ratios were 1:6.1 in the rural and1:5.6 in the urban area and did not differ notably among both counties. The estimated canine population for Liberia is 594,640. The majority of respondents (55%) reported poor waste disposal. Muslims were less likely to own a dog than Christians (39% vs 19% OR: 0.4 95% CI: 0.2-0.6) (p< 0.001). Six percent of respondents mentioned that a family member was exposed to a dog bite in the past year, and most victims were adult males. Four of the victims reportedly died after showing rabies compatible symptoms. Twenty-seven percent of dog-owning households in rural areas reported that at least one dog originated from urban areas, and 2% of urban households brought in dogs from another country. In addition, 43% of respondents consumed dog meat at least once. Fifty percent of the respondents claimed knowledge of rabies but only 5.7% and 1.9% mentioned rabies transmission through rabies-infected saliva and rabies-infected mucus on broken skin. Forty percent of the respondents did not know whether rabies was incurable in humans once clinical signs appear. Assuming 30 vaccinators could vaccinate 50 dogs per day for eighteen months (371 working days), the total cost for the vaccination of the national Liberian canine population is estimated at 1.6 million (USD) for one vaccination round. Our study reveals an overall poor disease knowledge and the potential for spread of rabies in the study areas. A nationwide rabies awareness is crucial to enhance rabies prevention and control through mass dog vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garmie Voupawoe
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. BoX, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland; Leon Quist Ledlum Central Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Liberia.
| | - Watta Anthony
- Leon Quist Ledlum Central Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Liberia
| | - Jan Hattendorft
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. BoX, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. BoX, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. BoX, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Mauti
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. BoX, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
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Sophia DC, Aitor C, Claudia UC, Javier C, Delia G, Valeria G, Ezequiel HH, Maria Stefania L, Constanza N, Irene S, Nicole SP, Juliana V, Gerardo AJ, Domenico V, Domenico O, Javier M. Large-scale survey for canine vector-borne parasites in free-ranging dogs and foxes from six diverse bioclimatic regions of Chile. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 30:100721. [PMID: 35431077 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chile is a large country with a marked range of climate conditions that make it an ideal scenario for the study of vector-borne parasites (VBPs); however, knowledge about their distribution is limited to a few confined areas of this country. The presence of Hepatozoon spp., piroplasmids, Leishmania spp. and filarioids was investigated through molecular and serological methods in blood and serum samples of 764 free-ranging rural dogs, 154 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), and 91 South American grey foxes (Lycalopex griseus) from six bioclimatic regions across Chile. Hepatozoon spp. DNA was exclusively detected in foxes (43% prevalence), including sequences closely related to Hepatozoon felis (24.1%; only Andean foxes), Hepatozoon americanum (16.2%; only grey foxes), and Hepatozoon canis (1.25%; in one grey fox). Risk factor assessment identified a higher probability of Hepatozoon infection in juvenile foxes. DNA of piroplasmids was detected in 0.7% of dogs (Babesia vogeli) but in no fox, whilst antibodies against Babesia sp. were detected in 24% of the dogs and 25% of the foxes, suggesting a wider circulation of canine piroplasmids than previously believed. A positive association between the presence of antibodies against Babesia and high Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato burden was observed in dogs. Leishmania spp. DNA and antibodies were detected in 0.8% and 4.4% of the dogs, respectively. Acanthocheilonema reconditum was the only blood nematode detected (1.5% of the dogs and no fox). Differences in prevalence among bioregions were observed for some of the VBPs. These results expand our knowledge about the occurrence of vector-borne parasites in Chile, some of which are firstly reported herein. This information will facilitate the diagnosis of vector-borne diseases in domestic dogs and improve the control measures for both domestic and wild canids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Cataldo Sophia
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Cevidanes Aitor
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile; Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, P812, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Ulloa-Contreras Claudia
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cabello Javier
- Centro de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Chiloé-Silvestre, Ancud, Chiloé, Chile
| | - Gambino Delia
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia, Rickettsia, e Theileria, Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Sicilia, via Gino Marinuzzi, 3, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Gargano Valeria
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia, Rickettsia, e Theileria, Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Sicilia, via Gino Marinuzzi, 3, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
| | | | | | - Napolitano Constanza
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Av. Fuchslocher 1305, Osorno, Chile; Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Santiago, Chile; Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile
| | - Sacristán Irene
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile; Universidad Europea de Madrid, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sallaberry-Pincheira Nicole
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vianna Juliana
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile
| | - Acosta-Jamett Gerardo
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vicari Domenico
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia, Rickettsia, e Theileria, Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale della Sicilia, via Gino Marinuzzi, 3, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Otranto Domenico
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Millán Javier
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile; Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; Fundación ARAID, Avda. de Ranillas, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
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10
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Schüttler E, Saavedra-Aracena L, Jiménez JE. Spatial and temporal plasticity in free-ranging dogs in sub-Antarctic Chile. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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11
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A Review and Analysis of the National Dog Population Management Program in Chile. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030228. [PMID: 35158553 PMCID: PMC8833616 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-roaming dogs are a worldwide problem, with Chile having some of the highest human-to-dog ratios in the world. In 2017, Law 21.020 was promulgated and the federal government developed a national responsible pet ownership program. The objectives of this article are to describe and discuss the dog-related components of the program, to design a tool for determining human-to-dog ratios in Chile, and to make recommendations to managers to improve the program outcomes. The overarching goal of the program was to mitigate the conflict between humans and dogs, but many of the interventions were animal-focused and the indicators did not consider the perception of the Chilean public. Using human density data and known dog populations, we found that as the human density increased, there were fewer dogs per person. Veterinary services and sterilizations were the mainstay of the program and were offered for free to citizens. Education was offered to all ages through public events, as well as municipality and organization activities. The identification of dogs was obligatory for dog owners. Enforcement was not included in the program. The recommendations are to conduct preintervention baseline data collections and to tailor interventions and indicators appropriately; to use dog population size estimates determined at the local level rather than a country-wide estimate; to replace free veterinary services with low-cost sterilization campaigns; to create sustainable plans for education; and to create enforcement teams in communities.
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12
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Kalthoum S, Ben Salah C, Rzeigui H, Gharbi R, Guesmi K, Ben Salem A, Ferchichi S, Zammel F, Fatnassi N, Bahloul C, Seghaier C. Owned and free-roaming dogs in the North West of Tunisia: estimation, characteristics and application for the control of dog rabies. Heliyon 2021; 7:e08347. [PMID: 34816041 PMCID: PMC8593464 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the structure of dog population and the evaluation of the accessibility of dogs to vaccination is essential to succeed in the fight against dog rabies and to adapt the strategy of its control. We studied the characteristics of the unowned and owned dogs using the beck method during a rabies vaccination campaign in randomly selected sectors (urban and rural sites) in the North West of Tunisia. During a door-to-door investigation of households, data on owned dogs were collected to describe the owned population dog. A photographic-recapture method was used to characterize and estimate the size of the unowned dogs. A total of 1432 households accounting for 5403 inhabitants were interviewed during the survey (1298 (90.6%) in the urban site and 134 (9.3%) in the rural site). The dog-owning households were significantly higher in the rural site (76.1% (102/134)) compared to the urban site (17.8% (231/1298)) (P < 0.000000). Of the 17.8% dog-owning households in urban site, 58.4% owned one dog and 9% between 4 and 8 dogs. While, of the 76.1% dog-owning households in rural site, 24.5% owned one dog and 32.3% owned between 4 and 10 dogs. The dog: human ratio was 1:11 in the urban site and 1:1.6 in the rural site. The dog population density was estimated at 16 dogs/km2 and 4 dogs/km2 in the urban and rural sites, respectively. The confinement practices varied significantly among the urban and rural sites (P < 0.000000). The percentage of free-roaming owned dogs was 51.1% in the rural site and 31.4% in the urban site. More than 60.0% of the owned dogs in the urban site were confined. The majority of dogs in the rural site were born in the house, although, a high percentage (56.7%) of owned dogs in the urban site was adopted from neighbours, others sectors, or countries. The vaccination coverage findings indicated that 77.8% and 84.2% of the owned dog were vaccinated in the urban and rural sites, respectively. The estimated size of the free-roaming dogs was 72 dogs in the urban site (Kalaat Senan) and 16 dogs in the rural site (Sod el Khir).
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Kalthoum
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - C. Ben Salah
- Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole du Kef, Avenue de la liberté, 7100, Kef, Tunisia
| | - H. Rzeigui
- Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole du Kef, Avenue de la liberté, 7100, Kef, Tunisia
| | - R. Gharbi
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - K. Guesmi
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - A. Ben Salem
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - S. Ferchichi
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - F. Zammel
- Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole du Kef, Avenue de la liberté, 7100, Kef, Tunisia
| | - N. Fatnassi
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - C. Bahloul
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Place Pasteur, B.P. 741002, Tunis, Belvédère, Tunisia
| | - C. Seghaier
- Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, 38 avenue Charles Nicolle, Cité el Mahrajène, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
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13
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López-Jara MJ, Sacristán I, Farías AA, Maron-Perez F, Acuña F, Aguilar E, García S, Contreras P, Silva-Rodríguez EA, Napolitano C. Free-roaming domestic cats near conservation areas in Chile: Spatial movements, human care and risks for wildlife. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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14
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Warembourg C, Fournié G, Abakar MF, Alvarez D, Berger-González M, Odoch T, Wera E, Alobo G, Carvallo ETL, Bal VD, López Hernandez AL, Madaye E, Maximiano Sousa F, Naminou A, Roquel P, Hartnack S, Zinsstag J, Dürr S. Predictors of free-roaming domestic dogs' contact network centrality and their relevance for rabies control. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12898. [PMID: 34145344 PMCID: PMC8213792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92308-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Free roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) are the main vectors for rabies transmission to humans worldwide. To eradicate rabies from a dog population, current recommendations focus on random vaccination with at least 70% coverage. Studies suggest that targeting high-risk subpopulations could reduce the required vaccination coverage, and increase the likelihood of success of elimination campaigns. The centrality of a dog in a contact network can be used as a measure of its potential contribution to disease transmission. Our objectives were to investigate social networks of FRDD in eleven study sites in Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia and Uganda, and to identify characteristics of dogs, and their owners, associated with their centrality in the networks. In all study sites, networks had small-world properties and right-skewed degree distributions, suggesting that vaccinating highly connected dogs would be more effective than random vaccination. Dogs were more connected in rural than urban settings, and the likelihood of contacts was negatively correlated with the distance between dogs' households. While heterogeneity in dog's connectedness was observed in all networks, factors predicting centrality and likelihood of contacts varied across networks and countries. We therefore hypothesize that the investigated dog and owner characteristics resulted in different contact patterns depending on the social, cultural and economic context. We suggest to invest into understanding of the sociocultural structures impacting dog ownership and thus driving dog ecology, a requirement to assess the potential of targeted vaccination in dog populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | | | | | - Danilo Alvarez
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Monica Berger-González
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Grace Alobo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Enos Madaye
- Institut de Recherche en Elevage pour le Développement, N'Djaména, Chad
| | - Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Abakar Naminou
- Institut de Recherche en Elevage pour le Développement, N'Djaména, Chad
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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15
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Di Cataldo S, Cevidanes A, Ulloa-Contreras C, Sacristán I, Peñaloza-Madrid D, Vianna J, González-Acuña D, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Cabello J, Napolitano C, Hidalgo-Hermoso E, Acosta-Jamett G, Millán J. Widespread Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Free-Ranging Dogs and Wild Foxes Across Six Bioclimatic Regions of Chile. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050919. [PMID: 33923361 PMCID: PMC8145368 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood samples of 626 rural dogs, 140 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), and 83 South American grey foxes (L. griseus) from six bioregions of Chile spanning 3000 km were screened for Mycoplasma DNA by conventional PCR and sequencing. Risk factors of infection were inferred using Generalized Linear Mixed Models and genetic structure by network analyses. Overall, Mycoplasma haemocanis/Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhc/Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp) observed prevalence was 23.8% and 12.8% in dogs, 20.1% and 7.2% in Andean foxes, and 26.5% and 8.4% in grey foxes, respectively. Both hemoplasmas were confirmed in all the bioregions, with higher prevalence in those where ticks from the Rhipicephalus sanguineus species group were absent. Candidatus M. haematominutum and a Mycoplasma sp. previously found in South American carnivores were detected in one fox each. Although the most prevalent Mhc/Mhf and CMhp sequence types were shared between dogs and foxes, network analysis revealed genetic structure of Mhc/Mhf between hosts in some regions. Male sex was associated with a higher risk of Mhc/Mhf and CMhp infection in dogs, and adult age with CMhp infection, suggesting that direct transmission is relevant. No risk factor was identified in foxes. Our study provides novel information about canine hemoplasmas with relevance in distribution, transmission routes, and cross-species transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Di Cataldo
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago 8320000, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-946-943-947
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; or (I.S.); (J.M.)
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia P812, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Claudia Ulloa-Contreras
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Irene Sacristán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; or (I.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Diego Peñaloza-Madrid
- Parque Safari Chile, Ruta H-30, Km 5, Camino A Doñihue S/N, Rancagua, O’Higgins 2820000, Chile;
| | - Juliana Vianna
- Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Departamento de Ciencias Pecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Concepción, Víctor Lamas 1290, Chillán 4070386, Chile;
| | - Nicole Sallaberry-Pincheira
- Unidad de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Javier Cabello
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile;
| | - Constanza Napolitano
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Av. Fuchslocher 1305, Osorno 5290000, Chile or
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Ezequiel Hidalgo-Hermoso
- Conservation and Research Department, Parque Zoológico Buin Zoo, Panamericana Sur Km 32, Buin 9500000, Chile;
| | - Gerardo Acosta-Jamett
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia 5091000, Chile;
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile; or (I.S.); (J.M.)
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Avda. de Ranillas, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
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16
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Warembourg C, Wera E, Odoch T, Bulu PM, Berger-González M, Alvarez D, Abakar MF, Maximiano Sousa F, Cunha Silva L, Alobo G, Bal VD, López Hernandez AL, Madaye E, Meo MS, Naminou A, Roquel P, Hartnack S, Dürr S. Comparative Study of Free-Roaming Domestic Dog Management and Roaming Behavior Across Four Countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:617900. [PMID: 33748208 PMCID: PMC7970034 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.617900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs play a major role in public health because of potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies. Dog roaming behavior has been studied worldwide, including countries in Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, while studies on dog roaming behavior are lacking in Africa. Many of those studies investigated potential drivers for roaming, which could be used to refine disease control measures. However, it appears that results are often contradictory between countries, which could be caused by differences in study design or the influence of context-specific factors. Comparative studies on dog roaming behavior are needed to better understand domestic dog roaming behavior and address these discrepancies. The aim of this study was to investigate dog demography, management, and roaming behavior across four countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. We equipped 773 dogs with georeferenced contact sensors (106 in Chad, 303 in Guatemala, 217 in Indonesia, and 149 in Uganda) and interviewed the owners to collect information about the dog [e.g., sex, age, body condition score (BCS)] and its management (e.g., role of the dog, origin of the dog, owner-mediated transportation, confinement, vaccination, and feeding practices). Dog home range was computed using the biased random bridge method, and the core and extended home range sizes were considered. Using an AIC-based approach to select variables, country-specific linear models were developed to identify potential predictors for roaming. We highlighted similarities and differences in term of demography, dog management, and roaming behavior between countries. The median of the core home range size was 0.30 ha (95% range: 0.17-0.92 ha) in Chad, 0.33 ha (0.17-1.1 ha) in Guatemala, 0.30 ha (0.20-0.61 ha) in Indonesia, and 0.25 ha (0.15-0.72 ha) in Uganda. The median of the extended home range size was 7.7 ha (95% range: 1.1-103 ha) in Chad, 5.7 ha (1.5-27.5 ha) in Guatemala, 5.6 ha (1.6-26.5 ha) in Indonesia, and 5.7 ha (1.3-19.1 ha) in Uganda. Factors having a significant impact on the home range size in some of the countries included being male dog (positively), being younger than one year (negatively), being older than 6 years (negatively), having a low or a high BCS (negatively), being a hunting dog (positively), being a shepherd dog (positively), and time when the dog was not supervised or restricted (positively). However, the same outcome could have an impact in a country and no impact in another. We suggest that dog roaming behavior is complex and is closely related to the owner's socioeconomic context and transportation habits and the local environment. Free-roaming domestic dogs are not completely under human control but, contrary to wildlife, they strongly depend upon humans. This particular dog-human bound has to be better understood to explain their behavior and deal with free-roaming domestic dogs related issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Petrus Malo Bulu
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Monica Berger-González
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Alvarez
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | - Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cunha Silva
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Grace Alobo
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Valentin Dingamnayal Bal
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Enos Madaye
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria Satri Meo
- Animal Health Division, Agricultural Department of Sikka Regency, Flores, Indonesia
| | - Abakar Naminou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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17
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Warembourg C, Wera E, Odoch T, Bulu PM, Berger-González M, Alvarez D, Abakar MF, Maximiano Sousa F, Cunha Silva L, Alobo G, Bal VD, López Hernandez AL, Madaye E, Meo MS, Naminou A, Roquel P, Hartnack S, Dürr S. Comparative Study of Free-Roaming Domestic Dog Management and Roaming Behavior Across Four Countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2021. [PMID: 33748208 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.617900/full#b11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs play a major role in public health because of potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies. Dog roaming behavior has been studied worldwide, including countries in Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, while studies on dog roaming behavior are lacking in Africa. Many of those studies investigated potential drivers for roaming, which could be used to refine disease control measures. However, it appears that results are often contradictory between countries, which could be caused by differences in study design or the influence of context-specific factors. Comparative studies on dog roaming behavior are needed to better understand domestic dog roaming behavior and address these discrepancies. The aim of this study was to investigate dog demography, management, and roaming behavior across four countries: Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Uganda. We equipped 773 dogs with georeferenced contact sensors (106 in Chad, 303 in Guatemala, 217 in Indonesia, and 149 in Uganda) and interviewed the owners to collect information about the dog [e.g., sex, age, body condition score (BCS)] and its management (e.g., role of the dog, origin of the dog, owner-mediated transportation, confinement, vaccination, and feeding practices). Dog home range was computed using the biased random bridge method, and the core and extended home range sizes were considered. Using an AIC-based approach to select variables, country-specific linear models were developed to identify potential predictors for roaming. We highlighted similarities and differences in term of demography, dog management, and roaming behavior between countries. The median of the core home range size was 0.30 ha (95% range: 0.17-0.92 ha) in Chad, 0.33 ha (0.17-1.1 ha) in Guatemala, 0.30 ha (0.20-0.61 ha) in Indonesia, and 0.25 ha (0.15-0.72 ha) in Uganda. The median of the extended home range size was 7.7 ha (95% range: 1.1-103 ha) in Chad, 5.7 ha (1.5-27.5 ha) in Guatemala, 5.6 ha (1.6-26.5 ha) in Indonesia, and 5.7 ha (1.3-19.1 ha) in Uganda. Factors having a significant impact on the home range size in some of the countries included being male dog (positively), being younger than one year (negatively), being older than 6 years (negatively), having a low or a high BCS (negatively), being a hunting dog (positively), being a shepherd dog (positively), and time when the dog was not supervised or restricted (positively). However, the same outcome could have an impact in a country and no impact in another. We suggest that dog roaming behavior is complex and is closely related to the owner's socioeconomic context and transportation habits and the local environment. Free-roaming domestic dogs are not completely under human control but, contrary to wildlife, they strongly depend upon humans. This particular dog-human bound has to be better understood to explain their behavior and deal with free-roaming domestic dogs related issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Petrus Malo Bulu
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Monica Berger-González
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Alvarez
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | - Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cunha Silva
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Grace Alobo
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Valentin Dingamnayal Bal
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Enos Madaye
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria Satri Meo
- Animal Health Division, Agricultural Department of Sikka Regency, Flores, Indonesia
| | - Abakar Naminou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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18
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Hernández FA, Manqui J, Mejías C, Acosta-Jamett G. Domestic Dogs and Wild Foxes Interactions in a Wildlife-Domestic Interface of North-Central Chile: Implications for Multi-Host Pathogen Transmission. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:631788. [PMID: 33634181 PMCID: PMC7899968 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.631788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) often cohabite at interfaces shared by humans and wildlife, interacting with wild canids as predators, prey, competitors and reservoirs of several multi-host pathogens, such as canid-borne micro and macro parasites that could impact on wildlife, livestock and public health. However, spatio-temporal patterns of indirect interactions as promoters of pathogen transfer between domestic and wild canids are largely unknown. In this study, we used camera traps to describe the activity patterns and habitat use of dogs, chilla (Lycalopex griseus) and culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) foxes and identify the local-scale factors that may affect the frequency of dog-fox interactions through an anthropization gradient of the Coquimbo region, Chile. We assessed local-scale variables that may predict the number of interactions between dogs and foxes, and compared the time interval between dog-culpeo and dog-chilla interactions. Our findings suggested that closeness to urbanized zones predicts the frequency of indirect interactions between dogs and foxes. We found higher number of dog-fox interactions (60 interactions) at a periurban site adjacent to two coastal towns (Tongoy and Guanaqueros), compared to other two more undisturbed sites (12 interactions) increasingly distanced from urbanized areas. We showed that dogs interacted more frequently with chilla foxes (57 interactions) than with culpeo foxes (15 interactions), and the first interaction type occurred almost exclusively at the periurban site, where dogs and chillas were more frequently detected than in the other sites. We detected a marked temporal segregation between dogs and foxes, but dog-chilla interactions resulted in shorter time intervals (2.5 median days) compared to dog-culpeo interactions (7.6 median days), suggesting a higher potential risk of pathogen spillover between the first species pairing. Based on previous studies, we suggest periurban zones may constitute a potential focus of pathogen exposure between dog and fox populations in the study area. Our research contributes to improving the knowledge on the spatio-temporal patterns of interspecific contact between invasive and native carnivores within the context of multi-host pathogen dynamics. Our outcomes will inform theoretical epidemiological models designed to predict and minimize the contact risk between domestic and threatened species, guiding effective control strategies at the wildlife-domestic interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Hernández
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jonatan Manqui
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carlos Mejías
- Programa de Magíster en Ecología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Gerardo Acosta-Jamett
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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19
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Widespread Presence of Domestic Dogs on Sandy Beaches of Southern Chile. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010161. [PMID: 33445632 PMCID: PMC7827244 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs on sandy beaches are a threat to shorebirds. Managing this problem requires understanding the factors that influence the abundance of dogs in these ecosystems. We aimed to determine the proportion of beaches used by dogs and the effects of human presence on dog abundance on sandy beaches of southern Chile. We conducted dog counts and recorded the presence of tracks on 14 beaches. We used zero-inflated generalized linear mixed models to determine if the number of people, number of households, and other covariates were associated with dog abundance. We detected dog tracks on all the beaches, and dog sightings on most of them. Dogs were frequently not supervised (45%) and only 13% of them were leashed. The number of people on the beach and the number of houses near the beach were positively associated with the number of dogs on beaches. Finally, when dogs co-occurred with whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus), the probability of dog harassment was high (59%). Our work reveals that human presence determines the abundance of dogs on sandy beaches. Therefore, our study suggests that any strategy aiming at reducing dog harassment of shorebirds requires changes in those human behaviors that favor the presence of free-ranging dogs at beaches.
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20
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Sacristán I, Esperón F, Pérez R, Acuña F, Aguilar E, García S, López MJ, Neves E, Cabello J, Hidalgo-Hermoso E, Terio KA, Millán J, Poulin E, Napolitano C. Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 infection in the wild felid Leopardus guigna in Chile. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:3335-3348. [PMID: 33238057 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Landscape anthropization has been identified as one of the main drivers of pathogen emergence worldwide, facilitating pathogen spillover between domestic species and wildlife. The present study investigated Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 infection using molecular methods in 98 free-ranging wild guignas (Leopardus guigna) and 262 co-occurring owned, free-roaming rural domestic cats. We also assessed landscape anthropization variables as potential drivers of infection. Protoparvovirus DNA was detected in guignas across their entire distribution range, with observed prevalence of 13.3% (real-time PCR) and 9% (conventional PCR) in guignas, and 6.1% (conventional PCR) in cats. Prevalence in guigna did not vary depending on age, sex, study area or landscape variables. Prevalence was higher in juvenile cats (16.7%) than in adults (4.4%). Molecular characterization of the virus by amplification and sequencing of almost the entire vp2 gene (1,746 bp) from one guigna and five domestic cats was achieved, showing genetic similarities to canine parvovirus 2c (CPV-2c) (one guigna and one cat), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) (one cat), CPV-2 (no subtype identified) (two cats), CPV-2a (one cat). The CVP-2c-like sequence found in a guigna clustered together with domestic cat and dog CPV-2c sequences from South America, suggesting possible spillover from a domestic to a wild species as the origin of infection in guigna. No clinical signs of disease were found in PCR-positive animals except for a CPV-2c-infected guigna, which had haemorrhagic diarrhoea and died a few days after arrival at a wildlife rescue centre. Our findings reveal widespread presence of Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 across the guigna distribution in Chile and suggest that virus transmission potentially occurs from domestic to wild carnivores, causing severe disease and death in susceptible wild guignas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Sacristán
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Esperón
- Grupo de Epidemiología y Sanidad Ambiental, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Pérez
- Sección Genética Evolutiva, Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de la República de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Francisca Acuña
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emilio Aguilar
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastián García
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José López
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Elena Neves
- Grupo de Epidemiología y Sanidad Ambiental, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Cabello
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | | | - Karen A Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Brookfield, IL, USA
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundación ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elie Poulin
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile
| | - Constanza Napolitano
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile.,Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB), Santiago, Chile
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21
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Hemoplasmas Are Endemic and Cause Asymptomatic Infection in the Endangered Darwin's Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes). Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00779-20. [PMID: 32276983 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00779-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma haemocanis is prevalent in the endangered Darwin's fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) in its main stronghold, Chiloé Island (Chile). The origin of the infection, its dynamics, its presence in other fox populations and the potential consequences for fox health remain unexplored. For 8 years, hemoplasmal DNA was screened and characterized in blood from 82 foxes in Chiloé and two other fox populations and in 250 free-ranging dogs from Chiloé. The prevalence of M. haemocanis in foxes was constant during the study years, and coinfection with "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" was confirmed in 30% of the foxes. Both hemoplasma species were detected in the two mainland fox populations and in Chiloé dogs. M. haemocanis was significantly more prevalent and more genetically diverse in foxes than in dogs. Two of the seven M. haemocanis haplotypes identified were shared between these species. Network analyses did not show genetic structure by species (foxes versus dogs), geographic (island versus mainland populations), or temporal (years of study) factors. The probability of infection with M. haemocanis increased with fox age but was not associated with sex, season, or degree of anthropization of individual fox habitats. Some foxes recaptured years apart were infected with the same haplotype in both events, and no hematological alterations were associated with hemoplasma infection, suggesting tolerance to the infection. Altogether, our results indicate that M. haemocanis is enzootic in the Darwin's fox and that intraspecific transmission is predominant. Nevertheless, such a prevalent pathogen in a threatened species represents a concern that must be considered in conservation actions.IMPORTANCE Mycoplasma haemocanis is enzootic in Darwin's foxes. There is a higher M. haemocanis genetic diversity and prevalence in foxes than in sympatric dogs, although haplotypes are shared between the two carnivore species. There is an apparent tolerance of Darwin's foxes to Mycoplasma haemocanis.
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22
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Di Cataldo S, Ulloa-Contreras C, Cevidanes A, Hernández C, Millán J. Babesia vogeli in dogs in Chile. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2296-2299. [PMID: 32367669 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report the presence of Babesia vogeli in dogs in Chile. During two surveillance campaigns separated by a year, sixty-three blood samples from free-ranging rural dogs in Coquimbo, Chile, were analysed through conventional PCR screening of the 18S rRNA for Babesia species. Sequencing confirmed the presence of Babesia vogeli in 6.3% of the tested animals, with positive cases in both years. All the sequences showed 100% nucleotide sequence identity among them and 99.8% with other previously published sequences from dogs. No clinical signs or haematological abnormalities other than thrombocytopenia were found in the parasitized individuals. This is the first report of a canine piroplasmid in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Di Cataldo
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Hernández
- Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Veterinario, HCV, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Andrés Bello, Lo Pinto, Chile
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundación ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain
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23
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Sacristán I, Sieg M, Acuña F, Aguilar E, García S, López MJ, Cevidanes A, Hidalgo-Hermoso E, Cabello J, Vahlenkamp TW, Millán J, Poulin E, Napolitano C. Molecular and serological survey of carnivore pathogens in free-roaming domestic cats of rural communities in southern Chile. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:1740-1748. [PMID: 31611482 PMCID: PMC6943315 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Owned, free-roaming domestic cats are abundant in the Chilean countryside, having high
probability of contact with wildlife and potentially participating as reservoirs of
zoonotic pathogens. In the present study, 131 cats from two remote study areas (Valdivia
and Chiloe Island) in southern Chile were analyzed for infection/exposure to eight
pathogens. Serum samples from 112 cats were tested for antigens against feline leukemia
virus (FeLV antigen-ELISA) and antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus
(FIV-ELISA) and canine distemper virus (CDV-serum neutralization), yielded occurrence of
8.9, 1.7 and 0.8% respectively. The presence of DNA of five vector-borne pathogens,
piroplasmids, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp.,
Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. was investigated
in thirty cats. Overall observed occurrence was 6.6% (2/30) for both
Anaplasma platys, and B. henselae, and 3.3% (1/30) for
both Bartonella sp. and Theileria equi. Observed
occurrence for all vector-borne pathogens in Valdivia area was significantly higher than
in Chiloe Island (5/15 vs 0/15; P=0.04). Our results represent the first
description of exposure to CDV and DNA detection of T. equi and
A. platys in domestic cats in Chile. The results highlight the
importance of performing pathogen screening in owned, free-roaming rural cats to evaluate
their potential role as reservoirs of infection and vectors for disease transmission to
wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Sacristán
- PhD Programe in Conservation Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Michael Sieg
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Francisca Acuña
- Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Avda. Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emilio Aguilar
- Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Avda. Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastián García
- Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Avda. Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José López
- Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Avda. Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- PhD Programe in Conservation Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Javier Cabello
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad San Sebastián, Patagonia Campus, Lago Panguipulli 1390, Puerto Montt, Chile.,Center of Biodiversity Conservation Chiloé Silvestre, Ancud, 5710000, Chile
| | - Thomas W Vahlenkamp
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Javier Millán
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, República 252, Santiago, Chile
| | - Elie Poulin
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile.,Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - Constanza Napolitano
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Biological Sciences and Biodiversity, Universidad de Los Lagos, Av. Fuchslocher 1305, Osorno, Chile
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24
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Schüttler E, Crego RD, Saavedra-Aracena L, Silva-Rodríguez EA, Rozzi R, Soto N, Jiménez JE. New records of invasive mammals from the sub-Antarctic Cape Horn Archipelago. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02497-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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25
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Montecino-Latorre D, San Martín W. Evidence supporting that human-subsidized free-ranging dogs are the main cause of animal losses in small-scale farms in Chile. AMBIO 2019; 48:240-250. [PMID: 29905914 PMCID: PMC6374227 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-018-1066-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We surveyed professionals from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture working with small-scale farmers to characterize the attacks of free-ranging dogs across Chile. Nationwide, in a single year, free-ranging dogs attacked 25% of the ca. 8500 farms included in the survey, killing or injuring about 10 000 small ruminants. These dogs were ranked as the main cause of animal losses for small-scale farmers, representing a threat to the livelihoods of this vulnerable group. Further, free-ranging dogs attacking small ruminants were considered as human-subsidized, since they would be recruited by irresponsible ownership and abandonment from urban centers. This is the first national assessment reporting that human-subsidized dogs are a main threat to livestock rearing. Policies to control populations of these animals should target their anthropogenic origin as well as cultural shifts in dog ownership and animal welfare. While these policies may be effective mid- to long-term approaches, short-term actions may also be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Montecino-Latorre
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - William San Martín
- Program in Science, Technology, and Society, and History Section, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
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26
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Villatoro FJ, Naughton-Treves L, Sepúlveda MA, Stowhas P, Mardones FO, Silva-Rodríguez EA. When free-ranging dogs threaten wildlife: Public attitudes toward management strategies in southern Chile. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 229:67-75. [PMID: 30143314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris) significantly threaten wildlife, including endangered species. Although this problem resembles threats from other invasive animals, managing roaming dogs is even more fraught due to their close association with humans. Here we use interviews (n = 166) to document patterns of dog ownership and care and to measure public attitudes toward management strategies to control free-roaming dogs that threaten wildlife in rural areas of southern Chile. We compare attitudes toward lethal control and fines in scenarios where dogs attack livestock, children or wild animals or enter protected areas. We also test for variation in attitudes according to gender, age, education and proximity to urban areas. Most respondents (98.1%) opposed lethal control for at least one scenario and they were more likely to accept killing dogs that attacked sheep than those attacking wildlife. Similarly, support for fines was higher when dogs attacked livestock or people versus wild animals. Respondents consistently favored fining the owner over eliminating the problem dog. When asked about their management preferences, many respondents indicated that the movement of problem dogs-including to a lesser extent those threatening wildlife-should be restricted. However, in practice most dog-owners allowed one or more of their dogs to move freely at least part of the time. Finally, the wildlife species of concern mattered, e.g. 40% thought no action was necessary when dogs attack foxes, but this dropped to 12% for pudu (a small deer). In sum, participants had significantly more concern for livestock and human safety than for wildlife protection. We close by discussing management and policy implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico J Villatoro
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile; Instituto de Investigación en Ciencia Animal y Ecosalud, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Edificio de Postgrado, Ciudad Universitaria, Zona 12, Guatemala.
| | - Lisa Naughton-Treves
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 550 N Park St, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Maximiliano A Sepúlveda
- Departamento de Conservación de la Diversidad Biológica, Gerencia de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del Estado, Corporación Nacional Forestal, Paseo Bulnes 285, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Stowhas
- Juan Fernández Island Restoration Project, Island Conservation, Las Urbinas 53, Office 42, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando O Mardones
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo A Silva-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile; Instituto de Conservación, Biodiversidad y Territorio, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile.
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27
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Ribeiro FS, Nichols E, Morato RG, Metzger JP, Pardini R. Disturbance or propagule pressure? Unravelling the drivers and mapping the intensity of invasion of free‐ranging dogs across the Atlantic forest hotspot. DIVERS DISTRIB 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S. Ribeiro
- Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Ronaldo G. Morato
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade Atibaia São Paulo Brazil
| | - Jean Paul Metzger
- Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Renata Pardini
- Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
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28
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Cevidanes A, Di Cataldo S, Vera F, Lillo P, Millán J. Molecular Detection of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Rural Dogs and Associated Ctenocephalides felis Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in Easter Island (Chile). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:1659-1663. [PMID: 30165658 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The presence of vector-borne pathogens of veterinary and public health interest have received little attention in Chile. In Easter Island, in particular, a Chilean territory in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, no information is available. To fill this gap, 153 rural dogs were inspected for ectoparasites during a sterilization campaign carried out in 2016. Fleas were observed in 46% of the dogs, and Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché, 1835) was the only species present. Morphological identification of fleas was genetically confirmed using conventional polymerase chain reaction targeting the cox2 gene. No tick was observed in any dog. The presence of DNA of Rickettsia sp. (gltA and ompA fragment genes), Anaplasmataceae (16S rRNA), and Bartonella sp. (16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer) was investigated in blood samples of 70 of the dogs and in 126 fleas analyzed in 68 pools that included 1-5 fleas. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 97% (n = 66) of the flea pools. Of these, 57 showed between 99 and 100% identity for both genes with published sequences of Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis (CRa), six with Rickettsia felis, and one with Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis. For two pools, gltA amplicons were identical to CRa but ompB amplicions showed 99-100% identity with R. felis. Anaplasmataceae DNA was detected in 16% (n = 11) pools. Sequenced amplicons showed highest identity with the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis. Bartonella DNA, showing 99% identity to Bartonella clarridgeiae, was detected in one pool (1.4%). No positive reaction was observed for any dog. This is the first detection of members of the 'R. felis-like' group other than R. felis in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Cevidanes
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernanda Vera
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Lillo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República, Santiago, Chile
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