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Charles RA, Pow-Brown P, Gordon-Dillon A, Blake L, Nicholls S, Brown-Jordan A, Caruth J, Sant C, Pargass I, Basu A, Albina E, Oura C, Georges K. Completing the Puzzle: A Cluster of Hunting Dogs with Tick-Borne Illness from a Fishing Community in Tobago, West Indies. Pathogens 2024; 13:161. [PMID: 38392899 PMCID: PMC10891510 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Eight hunting dogs were visited by a state veterinarian on the island of Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, as owners reported anorexia and paralysis in five of their dogs. The veterinarian observed a combination of clinical signs consistent with tick-borne illness, including fever, anorexia, anaemia, lethargy and paralysis. Blood and ticks were collected from each dog and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for analysis. Microscopic analysis revealed a mixed infection of intracytoplasmic organisms consistent with Babesia spp. (erythrocyte) and Ehrlichia spp. (monocyte), respectively, from one dog, while a complete blood count indicated a regenerative anaemia (n = 1; 12.5%), non-regenerative anaemia (n = 4; 50%), neutrophilia (n = 3; 37.5%), lymphocytosis (n = 2; 25%), thrombocytopaenia (n = 3; 37.5%) and pancytopaenia (n = 1; 12.5%). DNA isolated from the eight blood samples and 20 ticks (16 Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 4 Amblyomma ovale) were subjected to conventional PCR and next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia and Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon, respectively. The DNA of Ehrlichia spp., closely related to Ehrlichia canis, was detected in the blood of three dogs (37.5%), Anaplasma spp., closely related to Anaplasma marginale, in two (25%), Babesia vogeli in one dog (12.5%) and seven ticks (35%) and Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasma spp., in one tick (5%), respectively. These findings highlight the need to test both the vector and host for the presence of tick-borne pathogens when undertaking diagnostic investigations. Further studies are also warranted to elucidate the susceptibility of canids to Anaplasma marginale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne A. Charles
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Patricia Pow-Brown
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Annika Gordon-Dillon
- Animal Health Unit, Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford & Shirvan Road, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; (A.G.-D.); (J.C.)
| | - Lemar Blake
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Soren Nicholls
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.N.); (A.B.-J.)
| | - Arianne Brown-Jordan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.N.); (A.B.-J.)
| | - Joanne Caruth
- Animal Health Unit, Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford & Shirvan Road, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; (A.G.-D.); (J.C.)
| | - Candice Sant
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Indira Pargass
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Asoke Basu
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), DGDRS, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Christopher Oura
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Karla Georges
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
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Díaz-Corona C, Roblejo-Arias L, Piloto-Sardiñas E, Díaz-Sánchez AA, Foucault-Simonin A, Galon C, Wu-Chuang A, Mateos-Hernández L, Zając Z, Kulisz J, Wozniak A, Castro-Montes de Oca MK, Lobo-Rivero E, Obregón D, Moutailler S, Corona-González B, Cabezas-Cruz A. Microfluidic PCR and network analysis reveals complex tick-borne pathogen interactions in the tropics. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:5. [PMID: 38178247 PMCID: PMC10765916 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06098-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodid ticks, particularly Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., are important vectors of various disease-causing agents in dogs and humans in Cuba. However, our understading of interactions among tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in infected dogs or the vector R. sanguineus s.l. remains limited. This study integrates microfluidic-based high-throughput real-time PCR data, Yule's Q statistic, and network analysis to elucidate pathogen-pathogen interactions in dogs and ticks in tropical western Cuba. METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 46 client-owned dogs was conducted. Blood samples were collected from these dogs, and ticks infesting the same dogs were morphologically and molecularly identified. Nucleic acids were extracted from both canine blood and tick samples. Microfluidic-based high-throughput real-time PCR was employed to detect 25 bacterial species, 10 parasite species, 6 bacterial genera, and 4 parasite taxa, as well as to confirm the identity of the collected ticks. Validation was performed through end-point PCR assays and DNA sequencing analysis. Yule's Q statistic and network analysis were used to analyse the associations between different TBP species based on binary presence-absence data. RESULTS The study revealed a high prevalence of TBPs in both dogs and R. sanguineus s.l., the only tick species found on the dogs. Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis were among the most common pathogens detected. Co-infections were observed, notably between E. canis and H. canis. Significant correlations were found between the presence of Anaplasma platys and H. canis in both dogs and ticks. A complex co-occurrence network among haemoparasite species was identified, highlighting potential facilitative and inhibitory roles. Notably, H. canis was found as a highly interconnected node, exhibiting significant positive associations with various taxa, including A. platys, and E. canis, suggesting facilitative interactions among these pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis showed genetic diversity in the detected TBPs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this research enhances our understanding of TBPs in Cuba, providing insights into their prevalence, associations, and genetic diversity, with implications for disease surveillance and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Díaz-Corona
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, 32700, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lisset Roblejo-Arias
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, 32700, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Elianne Piloto-Sardiñas
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, 32700, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Adrian A Díaz-Sánchez
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Angélique Foucault-Simonin
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Clemence Galon
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lourdes Mateos-Hernández
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Wozniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - María Karla Castro-Montes de Oca
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, 32700, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Evelyn Lobo-Rivero
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, 32700, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Dasiel Obregón
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Belkis Corona-González
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, 32700, San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Francois Millien M, Saint-Louis D, Michel D. Overview of the Main Species of Ticks and Animal and Human Tick-Related Diseases in the Caribbean, Particularly in Haiti. Infect Dis (Lond) 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The Caribbean region faces a wide diversity of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in animals and humans. But to date, these have been the subject of few studies, resulting in a relative lack of knowledge of their epidemiology, pathogenicity, and the best prevention and control methods. Ticks are hematophagous mites, which feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are subdivided into two large families: the Ixodidae or hard ticks and the Argasidae or soft ticks. Each collection of blood by ticks from infected hosts can lead to their infection, which will contaminate other previously unharmed animals and contribute to the spread of tick-borne diseases caused mainly by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It seems important to us to draw up a state of knowledge on ticks. Some long-known tick species like Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Amblyomma and diseases like Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis deserve to be better studied, and others are yet to be identified for further research. The study consists of a review of the various documents published on this theme by Haitian and foreign researchers. The data are analyzed to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of ticks and identify the pathogenic germs they harbor and the various pathologies they induce in the Caribbean and Haiti.
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Charles RA, Bermúdez S, Banović P, Alvarez DO, Díaz-Sánchez AA, Corona-González B, Etter EMC, Rodríguez González I, Ghafar A, Jabbar A, Moutailler S, Cabezas-Cruz A. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America and the Caribbean: A One Health Perspective. Pathogens 2021; 10:1273. [PMID: 34684222 PMCID: PMC8538257 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks have complex life cycles which involve blood-feeding stages found on wild and domestic animals, with humans as accidental hosts. At each blood-feeding stage, ticks can transmit and/or acquire pathogens from their hosts. Therefore, the circulation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), especially the zoonotic ones, should be studied in a multi-layered manner, including all components of the chain of infections, following the 'One Health' tenets. The implementation of such an approach requires coordination among major stakeholders (such as veterinarians, physicians, acarologists, and researchers) for the identification of exposure and infection risks and application of effective prevention measures. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Central America and the Caribbean and the challenges associated with the implementation of 'One Health' surveillance and control programs in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne A Charles
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Sergio Bermúdez
- Department of Medical Entomology, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Research, Panama 0816-02593, Panama
| | - Pavle Banović
- Ambulance for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Department of Microbiology with Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | | | - Belkis Corona-González
- Department of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba
| | - Eric Marcel Charles Etter
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Petit-Bourg, 97170 Guadeloupe, France
- ASTRE, University de Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, 34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Islay Rodríguez González
- Department of Mycology-Bacteriology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Marianao 13, Havana 10400, Cuba
| | - Abdul Ghafar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, the University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, the University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Sara Moutailler
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis in dogs from the Caribbean. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101727. [PMID: 33865177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma platys is a tick-transmitted rickettsial pathogen, which is known to be the etiologic agent for cyclic thrombocytopenia in its primary canine host. Infections with this pathogen are also reported in cats, cattle and people. Similarly, Ehrlichia canis is another tick-borne rickettsial pathogen responsible for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and is also reported to cause infections in people. We describe infections in dogs with these two pathogens on the Caribbean island of Grenada, West Indies by detection using molecular methods. We utilized a 16S rRNA gene-based PCR assay to detect both Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species by screening 155 canine blood samples from asymptomatic dogs. We found 18.7 % of the dogs to be positive for A. platys and 16.8 % for E. canis. Samples that tested positive for A. platys were further assessed by sequence analysis targeting 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, citrate synthase (gltA) and heat shock protein (groEL) genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high correlation of A. platys 16S rRNA and gltA gene sequences with the geographic origins, while 23S rRNA and groEL gene sequences clustered independent of the geographic origins. This study represents an important step in defining the widespread distribution of active rickettsial infections in Caribbean dogs with no apparent clinical signs, thus posing a high risk for canine health and to a lesser extent to humans, as most dogs in the Caribbean are free-roaming.
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Development of a Multiplex PCR and Magnetic DNA Capture Assay for Detecting Six Species Pathogens of the Genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in Canine, Bovine, Caprine and Ovine Blood Samples from Grenada, West Indies. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020192. [PMID: 33578784 PMCID: PMC7916465 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020192] [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: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with tick-borne pathogens belonging to Anaplasma/Ehrlichia in various vertebrate hosts are a persistent problem resulting in nonspecific clinical signs during early infection. Diagnosis of single and multi-infections with these pathogens, causing diseases in companion/agricultural animals and people, remains a challenge. Traditional methods of diagnosis, such as microscopy and serology, have low sensitivity and specificity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are widely used to detect early-phase infections, since these have high sensitivity and specificity. We report the development and validation of an assay involving PCR followed by magnetic capture method using species-specific oligonucleotides to detect six Anaplasma/Ehrlichia species pathogens in canine, bovine, caprine, and ovine blood samples. Overall, the assay application to 455 samples detected 30.1% (137/455) positives for one or more out of six screened pathogens. Single-pathogen infections were observed in 94.9% (130/137) of the positive samples, while co-infections were detected in 5.1% (7/137). Anaplasma marginale infection in cattle had the highest detection rate (34.4%), followed by canines positive for Anaplasma platys (16.4%) and Ehrlichia canis (13.9%). The assay aided in documenting the first molecular evidence for A. marginale in cattle and small ruminants and Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in dogs in the Caribbean island of Grenada.
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Serologic and Molecular Diagnosis of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis Infection in Dogs in an Endemic Region. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060488. [PMID: 32575536 PMCID: PMC7350331 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis are obligate intracellular, tick-borne rickettsial pathogens of dogs that may cause life-threatening diseases. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of PCR and a widely used commercial antibody-based point-of-care (POC) test to diagnose A. platys and E. canis infection and updated the prevalence of these pathogens in dogs inhabiting the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts. We detected A. platys in 62/227 (27%), E. canis in 84/227 (37%), and the presence of both in 43/227 (19%) of the dogs using PCR. POC testing was positive for A. platys in 53/187 (28%), E. canis in 112/187 (60%), and for both in 42/187 (22%) of the samples tested. There was only a slight agreement between A. platys PCR and POC test results and a fair agreement for E. canis PCR and POC test results. Our study suggests that PCR testing may be particularly useful in the early stage of infection when antibody levels are low or undetectable, whereas, POC test is useful when false-negative PCR results occur due to low bacteremia. A combination of PCR and POC tests may increase the ability to diagnose A. platys and E. canis infection and consequently will improve patient management.
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Kabuusu RM, Stroup DF, Pinckney R, Chriestmon J, Alexander R, Richards C, Macpherson C. An analysis of time trends for canine heartworm disease in Grenada and its associated risk factors based on veterinary clinical pathology laboratory data base records between 2003 and 2015. Prev Vet Med 2020; 179:104989. [PMID: 32417638 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.104989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Canine heartworm (CHW) disease is a common parasitic infection in dogs in the Caribbean islands. However, studies on temporal trends and risk factors are limited for this region. This study represents the time trends in laboratory prevalence and risk factors of canine heartworm infections between 2003 and 2015. In this case series, 662 cases of laboratory-diagnosed heartworm were compared to 662 dogs without a laboratory diagnosis of heartworm (controls). One hundred and seventy two frozen serum positive samples were later analyzed for heartworm antigens using Heska solo® Step CH, and all 172 cases of microfilariae were confirmed as Dirofilaria immitis. Annual prevalence, linear trends and odds ratios (OR) for CHW were estimated using EPIINFO version 7 at a significance level of α = 0.05. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of CHW with variables showing a statistically significant univariate relationship. Laboratory prevalence of CHW decreased from 72 cases per 1000 dogs per year in 2003 to 15 cases per 1000 dogs per year in 2015 [X2 for linear trend = 151.8, p < 0.0001], with the occurrence of an epidemic of CHW between 2008 and 2010. The odds of CHW were higher among adult dogs [(OR) = 3.9 (95% CI, 2.9-7.0)] and geriatric dogs [OR = 2.1 (95% CI, 1.1-4.3)] compared to puppies. The odds of CHW were higher [OR = 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1-1.6)] among male dogs than female dogs, but the odds for CHW were lower among neutered dogs [OR = 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2 - 0.6)] compared to intact dogs. The odds of a dog being diagnosed with CHW were elevated [OR = 4.1 (95% CI, 3.2-5.2)] during the dry season compared to the rainy season. Our findings show that canine heartworm is extensive in laboratory submissions in Grenada. However, the laboratory prevalence of CHW decreased between 2003 and 2015, with an epidemic occurring between 2008 and 2010. Age of the dog, sex, neutered status, and seasonality of diagnosis were significantly associated CHW in Grenada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Kabuusu
- School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
| | | | - Rhonda Pinckney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Jennifer Chriestmon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Ruth Alexander
- School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Carla Richards
- School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Calum Macpherson
- School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
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Maggi RG, Krämer F. A review on the occurrence of companion vector-borne diseases in pet animals in Latin America. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:145. [PMID: 30917860 PMCID: PMC6438007 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are an important threat for pet life, but may also have an impact on human health, due to their often zoonotic character. The importance and awareness of CVBDs continuously increased during the last years. However, information on their occurrence is often limited in several parts of the world, which are often especially affected. Latin America (LATAM), a region with large biodiversity, is one of these regions, where information on CVBDs for pet owners, veterinarians, medical doctors and health workers is often obsolete, limited or non-existent. In the present review, a comprehensive literature search for CVBDs in companion animals (dogs and cats) was performed for several countries in Central America (Belize, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico) as well as in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana (British Guyana), Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela) regarding the occurrence of the following parasitic and bacterial diseases: babesiosis, heartworm disease, subcutaneous dirofilariosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniosis, trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, mycoplasmosis and rickettsiosis. An overview on the specific diseases, followed by a short summary on their occurrence per country is given. Additionally, a tabular listing on positive or non-reported occurrence is presented. None of the countries is completely free from CVBDs. The data presented in the review confirm a wide distribution of the CVBDs in focus in LATAM. This wide occurrence and the fact that most of the CVBDs can have a quite severe clinical outcome and their diagnostic as well as therapeutic options in the region are often difficult to access and to afford, demands a strong call for the prevention of pathogen transmission by the use of ectoparasiticidal and anti-feeding products as well as by performing behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo G. Maggi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Friederike Krämer
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Serological and molecular diagnosis of Ehrlichia canis and associated risk factors in dogs domiciled in western Cuba. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 14:170-175. [PMID: 31014724 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichia canis is a rickettsia transmitted by the tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and is the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). In Cuba, the first diagnosis of CME was made in 2001, but few studies have since investigated this disease locally. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of E. canis in dogs domiciled in four municipalities within the western region of Cuba and determine the associated risk factors. Blood was drawn from 378 selected dogs living in four municipalities in two provinces of western Cuba. From the total number of samples, 206 plasma samples were selected to perform an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against E. canis. Using the original 378 samples of extracted DNA, a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was performed to amplify a specific fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of E. canis. Analysis of the 206 plasma samples revealed a total of 162 animals that were seropositive for E. canis (78.64%) with a density index between 109.5 and 970.7. In contrast, 179 samples were positive based on the nPCR assay (47.35%). As well, there was a high concordance (kappa = 0.7), calculated through the Kappa index, between the animals found to be positive based on nPCR and those determined based on ELISA. The analysis of risk factors showed that residing in the municipality of Boyeros in addition to having a history of infestation by ticks increases the probability of having a positive result based on nPCR.
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Ahmad AS, Saeed MA, Rashid I, Ashraf K, Shehzad W, Traub RJ, Baneth G, Jabbar A. Molecular characterization of Hepatozoon canis from farm dogs in Pakistan. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1131-1138. [PMID: 29455420 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5790-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatozoon canis is a tick-borne pathogen of canids, which is distributed worldwide. However, very little is known about this protozoan parasite in Pakistan. This study provides the first molecular evidence of H. canis from farm dogs from three agro-ecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan. A conventional PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene was used to characterize H. canis from farm dogs from three districts, namely Kasur, Rawalpindi, and Muzaffargarh, in Punjab. Of 341 blood samples tested, 155 (45.5%) were positive for H. canis, 73 (61.3%) from Kasur, 46 (42.5%) from Rawalpindi, and 36 (31.5%) from Muzaffargarh. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that 18S rRNA sequences of H. canis from this study clustered in three clades with those of H. canis from previously published studies to the exclusion of all other Hepatozoon spp. included in the analysis. This study provides the first insight into H. canis from farm dogs in Pakistan. Furthermore, it lays a foundation for future studies of the parasite to assess the impact of canine hepatozoonosis in dogs from various agro-ecological zones in Pakistan where pet ownership of dogs is increasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah S Ahmad
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad A Saeed
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Kamran Ashraf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Wasim Shehzad
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Rebecca J Traub
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gad Baneth
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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12
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Wang J, Zhang J, Kelly P, Zheng X, Li M, You J, Huang K, Qiu H, Wang Y, Zhang R, Li J, Dong J, Feng Y, Zhou J, Wang C. First description of the pathogenicity of Babesia vogeli in experimentally infected dogs. Vet Parasitol 2018; 253:1-7. [PMID: 29604992 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that occurs worldwide with the most recognized Babesia species that infect dogs being Babesia canis, B. vogeli, B. rossi and B. gibsoni. While B. vogeli is reported in dogs worldwide, clinical and laboratory data on infections is based on reports of naturally infected dogs. To provide reliable data on the clinical and laboratory abnormalities associated with acute and more chronic infections in healthy dogs free of other tick-borne diseases, we experimentally infected dogs with a Chinese strain of B. vogeli. All of the six infected Beagles, three of which were splenectomized, became infected with B. vogeli detected in blood smears taken the day following infection and the organism detected by FRET-qPCRs in most blood samples (77/86; 90%) collected about every 4 days until the end of the experiment on day 95. All the infected dogs showed fever, partial anorexia and malaise that was more severe in the splenectomized dogs that did not gain weight for three weeks in the period after initial infection. Regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia and decreased white blood cell counts were seen in all dogs but were more severe in the splenectomized dogs, of which two had life threatening infections and had to be removed from the study for treatment. Following re-infection on day 66, none of the dogs showed clinical signs and copy numbers did not change significantly although all the dogs were negative by FRET-qPCR on at least some of the subsequent sampling days. Laboratory values in the non-splenectomized dogs were relatively unchanged while in the splenectomized dog there was a temporary small increase in the platelet and white blood cell counts and a temporary slight worsening of the anemia. In summary, our study shows dogs experimentally infected with a B. vogeli strain from China develop only mild clinical signs that are followed by asymptomatic infections that can last for least 95 days. In splenectomized dogs, however, severe life threatening signs may develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jilei Zhang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jinfeng You
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Ke Huang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Haixiang Qiu
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yaoyao Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jianji Li
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Junsheng Dong
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yi Feng
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Chengming Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
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13
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Daskalaki AA, Ionică AM, Jeetah K, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Molecular confirmation of Hepatozoon canis in Mauritius. Acta Trop 2018; 177:116-117. [PMID: 29024615 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Hepatozoon species was molecularly identified and characterized for the first time on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of the Hepatozoon isolates were analysed from three naturally infected dogs. The sequences of H. canis were similar to the 18S rRNA partial sequences (JX112783, AB365071 99%) from dog blood samples from West Indies and Nigeria. Our sequences were deposited in the GenBank database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Alexandra Daskalaki
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur nr. 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur nr. 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Keshav Jeetah
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur nr. 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur nr. 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur nr. 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Jenkins S, Ketzis JK, Dundas J, Scorpio D. Efficacy of Minocycline in Naturally Occurring Nonacute Ehrlichia canis Infection in Dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2017; 32:217-221. [PMID: 29197122 PMCID: PMC5787154 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Minocycline has been used in the treatment of Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs as an alternative to doxycycline, the recommended treatment. However, efficacy of this alternative therapy is unknown. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of minocycline in the treatment of natural occurring E. canis infection in dogs. ANIMALS Ten privately owned dogs of mixed breed positive for E. canis by blood PCR. METHODS Prospective, randomized clinical study. Dogs positive for E. canis by PCR were housed in a kennel environment and randomly allocated to receive doxycycline 10 mg/kg bodyweight PO once daily ("gold standard" control group) or minocycline (extralabel) 10 mg/kg bodyweight PO twice daily (treatment test group) for 28 days. Blood, analyzed by PCR to determine the presence or absence of E. canisDNA, was collected weekly during treatment starting on the first day of treatment and including through day 35, 7 days after the last treatment. RESULTS In both groups, one dog tested negative after 7 days of treatment. For the doxycycline group, the latest time to a negative PCR test was after 3 weeks of treatment. For the minocycline group, the latest time was on day 28 of treatment. All dogs tested negative 7 days after the end of treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Minocycline can be an effective alternative to doxycycline for clearing E. canis from the blood in nonacute infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jenkins
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - J K Ketzis
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - J Dundas
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - D Scorpio
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.,Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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15
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Gondard M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Charles RA, Vayssier-Taussat M, Albina E, Moutailler S. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of the Caribbean: Current Understanding and Future Directions for More Comprehensive Surveillance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:490. [PMID: 29238699 PMCID: PMC5713125 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods of significant importance to human and veterinary medicine. They transmit a vast array of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths. Most epidemiological data on ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in the West Indies are limited to common livestock pathogens such as Ehrlichia ruminantium, Babesia spp. (i.e., B. bovis and B. bigemina), and Anaplasma marginale, and less information is available on companion animal pathogens. Of note, human tick-borne diseases (TBDs) remain almost completely uncharacterized in the West Indies. Information on TBP presence in wildlife is also missing. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the ticks and TBPs affecting human and animal health in the Caribbean, and introduce the challenges associated with understanding TBD epidemiology and implementing successful TBD management in this region. In particular, we stress the need for innovative and versatile surveillance tools using high-throughput pathogen detection (e.g., high-throughput real-time microfluidic PCR). The use of such tools in large epidemiological surveys will likely improve TBD prevention and control programs in the Caribbean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Gondard
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Petit-Bourg, France
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceské Budejovice, Czechia
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceské Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Roxanne A. Charles
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of the West Indies, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Petit-Bourg, France
- INRA, UMR 1319 ASTRE, Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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16
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Kelly PJ, Köster L, Li J, Zhang J, Huang K, Branford GC, Marchi S, Vandenplas M, Wang C. Survey of vector-borne agents in feral cats and first report of Babesia gibsoni in cats on St Kitts, West Indies. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:331. [PMID: 29132371 PMCID: PMC5683591 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1230-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As there is little data on vector-borne diseases of cats in the Caribbean region and even around the world, we tested feral cats from St Kitts by PCR to detect infections with Babesia, Ehrlichia and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and surveyed them for antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii and Ehrlichia canis. Results Whole blood was collected from apparently healthy feral cats during spay/ neuter campaigns on St Kitts in 2011 (N = 68) and 2014 (N = 52). Sera from the 52 cats from 2014 were used to detect antibodies to Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia rickettsii using indirect fluorescent antibody tests and DNA extracted from whole blood of a total of 119 cats (68 from 2011, and 51 from 2014) was used for PCRs for Babesia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. We could not amplify DNA of SFG Rickettsia in any of the samples but found DNA of E. canis in 5% (6/119), Babesia vogeli in 13% (15/119), Babesia gibsoni in 4% (5/119), mixed infections with B. gibsoni and B. vogeli in 3% (3/119), and a poorly characterized Babesia sp. in 1% (1/119). Overall, 10% of the 52 cats we tested by IFA for E. canis were positive while 42% we tested by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) for R. rickettsii antigens were positive. Conclusions Our study provides the first evidence that cats can be infected with B. gibsoni and also indicates that cats in the Caribbean may be commonly exposed to other vector-borne agents including SFGR, E. canis and B. vogeli. Animal health workers should be alerted to the possibility of clinical infections in their patients while public health workers should be alerted to the possibility that zoonotic SFGR are likely circulating in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick John Kelly
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Liza Köster
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis.,Glasgow University School of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Hospital, Garscube Campus, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Jing Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jilei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gillian Carmichael Branford
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Silvia Marchi
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Michel Vandenplas
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Chengming Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
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17
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Sant C, Georges KC, Pow-Brown P. Novel incidental finding of Hepatozoon canis infection in two dogs of the same household in Trinidad, West Indies. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2017; 9:98-103. [PMID: 31014852 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A five-year old mixed breed bitch was presented to the veterinary clinic in lateral recumbency with a history of anorexia and muscle hyperaesthesia. Examination of the blood smear of this animal revealed the presence of Hepatozoon spp. gamonts in the neutrophils and monocytes with a parasitaemia level of approximately 2%. Complete blood count (CBC) revealed a neutrophilia, and a normocytic normochromic non-regenerative anaemia which were consistent with Hepatozoon spp. infections. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 18S rRNA gene followed by DNA sequencing of the amplicon. Although the other dog in the household appeared asymptomatic, Hepatozoon canis infection was confirmed by both microscopic examination of blood smear and PCR. Both dogs were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H. canis sequences from these two dogs were similar to those from Venezuela and St Kitts but not Brazil. This is the first reported case of Hepatozoon canis infections in dogs in Trinidad that were confirmed by molecular techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Sant
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Karla C Georges
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Patricia Pow-Brown
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
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18
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Reeves WK, Beck J, Orlova MV, Daly JL, Pippin K, Revan F, Loftis AD. Ecology of Bats, Their Ectoparasites, and Associated Pathogens on Saint Kitts Island. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:1218-1225. [PMID: 27282816 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ectoparasites of bats and bat-associated pathogens are poorly studied in the Lesser Antilles Islands. We report on an 11-mo field study on Saint Kitts Island of bat populations, their associated ectoparasites, and pathogens. We report on five ectoparasite species, including four Streblidae (Diptera) and a Spinturnicidae (Acari). Several genotypes of unnamed Bartonella were isolated from bats and ectoparasites. Microfilaria of an undetermined Litomosoides spp. were detected in blood from Artibeus jamaicensis Leach (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) (and associated ectoparasites: Trichobius intermedius Peterson and Hurka (Diptera: Streblidae) and Periglischrus iheringi Oudemans (Acari: Spinturnicidae)). In addition, an Ehrlichia sp. and Rickettsia africae were detected in the blood of several bat species. Our study is one of the first surveys of ectoparasite-borne pathogens in wild mammals from St. Kitts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Will K Reeves
- USASAM/PHR, 2510 5th St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, US Air Force, Dayton, OH
| | - Jason Beck
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1345 Barton Rd., Pocatello, ID 83204
| | - Maria V Orlova
- National Research Tomsk State University, 36, Lenina str., Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Jennifer L Daly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P O Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis (; ; ; )
| | - Kristi Pippin
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P O Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis (; ; ; )
| | - Floyd Revan
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P O Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis (; ; ; )
| | - Amanda D Loftis
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P O Box 334, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis (; ; ; )
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19
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Starkey LA, Newton K, Brunker J, Crowdis K, Edourad EJP, Meneus P, Little SE. Prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti. Vet Parasitol 2016; 224:7-12. [PMID: 27270383 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Canine vector-borne pathogens are common on some Caribbean islands, but survey data in Haiti are lacking. To determine the prevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti, we tested blood samples collected from 210 owned dogs, 28 (13.3%) of which were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks at the time of blood collection. No other tick species were identified on these dogs. A commercially available ELISA identified antibodies to Ehrlichia spp. in 69 (32.9%), antibodies to Anaplasma spp. in 37 (17.6%), and antigen of Dirofilaria immitis in 55 (26.2%); antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were not detected in any sample. Molecular assays of whole blood from 207 of the dogs confirmed infection with Ehrlichia canis (15; 7.2%), Anaplasma platys (13; 6.3%), D. immitis (46; 22.2%), Wolbachia spp. (45; 21.7%), Babesia vogeli (16; 7.7%), and Hepatozoon canis (40; 19.3%), but Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia canis, Babesia rossi, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, or Hepatozoon americanum were not detected. Co-infection with two or more vector-borne pathogens was detected by serology in 42 (20.0%) dogs and by molecular assays in 22 (10.6%) dogs; one dog was co-infected with B. vogeli and E. canis as detected by PCR with D. immitis detected by serology (antigen). Overall, evidence of past or current infection with at least one vector-borne pathogen was identified in 142/210 (67.6%) dogs in this study, underscoring the common nature of these pathogens, some of which are zoonotic, in Haiti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Starkey
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
| | - Kassie Newton
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Jill Brunker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | | | - Emile Jean Pierre Edourad
- Ministère de l'Agriculture des Ressources Naturelles et du Dèveloppment Rural, Port Au Prince, Haiti
| | - Pedro Meneus
- Ministère de l'Agriculture des Ressources Naturelles et du Dèveloppment Rural, Cap-Haitien, Haiti
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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Zhang J, Kelly P, Guo W, Xu C, Wei L, Jongejan F, Loftis A, Wang C. Development of a generic Ehrlichia FRET-qPCR and investigation of ehrlichioses in domestic ruminants on five Caribbean islands. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:506. [PMID: 26438311 PMCID: PMC4595018 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1118-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Ehrlichia are obligate intracellular Gram-negative tick-borne bacteria that are important human and animal pathogens. There is a need for assays to rapidly and reliably detect and differentiate the five generally recognized species into groups in a single reaction: E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, E. muris and E. ruminantium. Methods We developed primers and probes against the 16S rRNA gene to enable us to reliably detect the five major Ehrlichia spp. in a single FRET-qPCR. We tested the Ehrlichia FRET-qPCR on reference strains and on DNA from the blood of domestic ruminants from five Caribbean islands. The Ehrlichia present were determined using melting point analysis and by sequencing the Ehrlichia FRET-qPCR products as well as those of a nested PCR against the citrate synthase gene (gltA). Results Our Ehrlichia FRET-qPCR was negative for the closely related Anaplasma marginale and A. phagocytophilum but gave positive reactions with reference strains of the most generally recognized species and with other less characterized Ehrlichia of domestic ruminants, mainly E. ovina, the Panola Mountain Ehrlichia, and Ehrlichia sp. BOV2010. Melting point analysis revealed 4 distinct groups: E. ruminantium (Tm ~55.8 °C); E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii (Tm ~57.7 °C); E. canis, E. muris, E. ovina and Ehrlichia sp. BOV 2010 (Tm ~62.0 °C); and the Panola Mountain Ehrlichia (Tm ~65.5 °C). The detection limit of the FRET-qPCR was ~ 5 gene copies in a reaction and the sequences of the FRET-qPCR products were as expected. With DNA from domestic ruminants from the Caribbean we found 12.2 % (134/1,101) positive: cattle (76/385; 19.7 %), sheep (45/340; 13.2 %) and goats (13/376; 3.5 %). Melting point analysis and sequencing of the FRET-qPCR and nested PCR gltA products showed the Ehrlichia we detected were E. canis or very closely related organisms. Conclusions In a single reaction, our Ehrlichia FRET-qPCR can detect the Ehrlichia spp. we studied and differentiate them into four groups. Domestic ruminants in the Caribbean are not uncommonly exposed to Ehrlichia, possibly E. canis or very closely related organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilei Zhang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Weina Guo
- Anhui Science and Technology University College of Animal Science, Anhui, China.
| | - Chuanling Xu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
| | - Lanjing Wei
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
| | - Frans Jongejan
- Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Amanda Loftis
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Chengming Wang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
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Li J, Kelly P, Zhang J, Xu C, Wang C. Development of a pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR and a survey of livestock from five Caribbean islands. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:246. [PMID: 26423577 PMCID: PMC4588467 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0560-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia spp. are tick-borne protozoan hemoparasites and the second most common blood-borne parasites of mammals, in particular domestic animals. We used the Clustal Multiple Alignment program and 18S rRNA gene sequences of 22 Babesia species from GenBank to develop a PCR that could detect a wide variety of Babesia spp. in a single reaction. The pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR we developed reliably detected B. gibsoni, B. canis, B. vogeli, B. microti, B. bovis, and B. divergens under controlled conditions but did not react with closely related species, mainly Hepatozoon americanum, Theileria equi, and Toxoplasma gondii. Results When we tested the pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR on DNA of whole blood from 752 cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses from five Caribbean islands, we detected Babesia spp. expected to be present in the animals, mainly B. bovis and B. bigemina in cattle and B. caballi in horses and donkeys. Further, we found that animals were not uncommonly infected with species of Babesia usually associated with other hosts, mainly B. vogeli and B. gibsoni in cattle, sheep and goats, B. rossi in goats, and B. caballi in goats and sheep. Finally, the pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR enabled us to identify unknown species of Babesia in cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys. Conclusions Overall, 70 % (525/752) of the animals we tested were positive confirming earlier limited studies that infections with Babesia spp. are common in livestock in the Caribbean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.
| | - Jilei Zhang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
| | - Chuanling Xu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
| | - Chengming Wang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
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Lanza‐Perea M, Zieger U, Qurollo B, Hegarty B, Pultorak E, Kumthekar S, Bruhl‐Day R, Breitschwerdt E. Intraoperative bleeding in dogs from Grenada seroreactive to Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis. J Vet Intern Med 2014; 28:1702-7. [PMID: 25274547 PMCID: PMC4895631 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent exposure of Grenadian dogs to Rhipicephalus sanguineus results in Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis seroreactivity. During elective surgeries, substantial intraoperative hemorrhage occurs in some seroreactive dogs. OBJECTIVES To assess hemostatic parameters and bleeding tendencies as well as prevalence of PCR positivity in apparently healthy A. platys and E. canis seroreactive and seronegative free-roaming dogs from Grenada. ANIMALS Forty-seven elective surgery dogs allocated to 4 groups: Seronegative control (n = 12), A. platys (n = 10), E. canis (n = 14) and A. platys, and E. canis (n = 11) seroreactive. METHODS Preoperatively, hemostasis was assessed by platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and buccal mucosal bleeding time. Intra- and postoperative bleeding scores were subjectively assigned. Blood, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph node aspirates were tested by PCR. RESULTS Bleeding scores in dogs coseroreactive for A. platys and E. canis were higher (P = .015) than those of seronegative dogs. A. platys DNA was amplified from 7/21 (33%) A. platys seroreactive dogs and from 1 E. canis seroreactive dog; E. canis DNA was amplified from 21/25 (84%) E. canis seroreactive dogs. E. canis DNA was amplified most often from blood, whereas A. platys DNA was amplified most often from bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Apparently healthy, free-roaming dogs coseropositive for A. platys and E. canis may have increased intraoperative bleeding tendencies despite normal hemostatic parameters. Future investigations should explore the potential for vascular injury as a cause for bleeding in these dogs. Improved tick control is needed for dogs in Grenada.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Lanza‐Perea
- School of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - U. Zieger
- School of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - B.A. Qurollo
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL)Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational ResearchCollege of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)North Carolina State University (NCSU)RaleighNC
| | - B.C. Hegarty
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL)Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational ResearchCollege of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)North Carolina State University (NCSU)RaleighNC
| | - E.L. Pultorak
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL)Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational ResearchCollege of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)North Carolina State University (NCSU)RaleighNC
| | - S. Kumthekar
- School of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - R. Bruhl‐Day
- School of Veterinary MedicineSt. George's UniversitySt. George'sGrenada
| | - E.B. Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL)Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational ResearchCollege of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)North Carolina State University (NCSU)RaleighNC
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