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Zakham F, Korhonen EM, Puonti PT, Castrén RS, Uusitalo R, Smura T, Kant R, Vapalahti O, Sironen T, Kinnunen PM. Molecular detection of pathogens from ticks collected from dogs and cats at veterinary clinics in Finland. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:327. [PMID: 37704990 PMCID: PMC10498522 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05864-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks carry microbes, some of which are pathogenic for humans and animals. To assess this One Health challenge, 342 ticks were collected from pet dogs and cats at 10 veterinary clinics in Finland as part of the European project "Protect Our Future Too". METHODS The tick species were identified, and ticks were screened with quantitative PCR (qPCR) for tick-borne pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Babesia spp. For comparison, a subset of tick DNA (20 qPCR-positive samples) was analysed with 16S next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS Most ticks were Ixodes ricinus (289, 84.5%), followed by Ixodes persulcatus (51, 14.9%). One hybrid tick (I. ricinus/I. persulcatus, 0.3%) and one Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick (0.3%) were identified. We found one or more of the analysed pathogens in 17% (59/342) of the ticks. The most prevalent pathogen was B. burgdorferi s.l. (36, 10.5%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (12, 3.5%), B. miyamotoi (5, 1.5%), Babesia venatorum (4, 1.2%), and TBEV (1, 0.3%). Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was amplified from three (0.9%) ticks. Ehrlichia canis was not detected. In the 16S NGS, six samples produced enough reads for the analysis. In these six samples, we confirmed all the positive qPCR findings of Borrelia spp. and Ca. N. mikurensis. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms in the ticks of this study emphasizes the importance of awareness of ticks and tick-borne diseases and prevention. Furthermore, the results show that veterinary surveillance can facilitate early detection of tick-borne pathogens and new tick species and draw attention to possible co-infections that should be considered both in symptomatic humans and animals after tick bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fathiah Zakham
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Essi M Korhonen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petteri T Puonti
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Robert S Castrén
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruut Uusitalo
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Smura
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Microbiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Microbiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula M Kinnunen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Companion Animal Business Unit, Nordic Cluster, MSD Animal Health, Espoo, Finland.
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Ligda P, Gizzarelli M, Kostopoulou D, Foglia Manzillo V, Saratsis A, Saratsi K, Michler S, Ringeisen H, Boegel A, Schunack B, Pollmeier M, Kontrafouris M, Tsatsaki O, Oliva G, Sotiraki S. Determination of the effect of collars containing 10% w/w imidacloprid and 4.5% w/w flumethrin (Seresto®) on the incidence of Leishmania and other canine vector-borne pathogen infections in Greece. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:89. [PMID: 36882870 PMCID: PMC9990277 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05678-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this field study was to assess the effect of treating a considerable portion of a dog population naturally exposed to canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs) in endemic areas with a 10% w/w imidacloprid/4.5% w/w flumethrin collar (Seresto®) on the transmission of CVBPs and the resulting incidence of infection. METHODS A total of 479 dogs from two sites were enrolled in the study. Collars were placed on all dogs continuously for 21 months, with replacement of the collar every 7 months. All dogs were examined, including body weight and blood/conjunctival swab collections, every 7 months. Serum samples were analysed for the presence of antibodies against Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. PCR assays were also performed on blood samples and conjunctival swab collected from the dogs for the presence of L. infantum, and on blood samples only for the presence of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. Sand flies were collected, identified to species level and molecularly tested for L. infantum throughout two vector activity seasons. RESULTS The results showed that the Seresto collar was safe with continuous use. At study inclusion, 419, 370 and 453 dogs tested negative for L. infantum, Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp., respectively (353 dogs tested negative for any pathogen). Overall, 90.2% of the dogs were protected from L. infantum infection on both sites combined. The entomological survey confirmed the presence of competent vectors of L. infantum at all monitored locations, namely the sand flies Phlebotomus neglectus and Phlebotomus tobbi, both of which are regarded as the most important competent vectors in the Mediterranean basin. All captured sand flies tested negative for L. infantum. Protection against ticks and fleas was high, with only two dogs showing a low number of ticks and seven dogs having low numbers of fleas at single evaluation time points. Across the entire study population, a number of dogs became infected with tick-transmitted pathogens, but prevention of transmission was 93% for E. canis and 87.2% for Anaplasma spp. when all cases from both sites were combined. CONCLUSIONS The Seresto® (10% w/w imidacloprid/4.5% w/w flumethrin) collar significantly reduced the risk of CVBP transmission when compared to previously observed incidences of CVBP infections in two highly endemic areas under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Ligda
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Manuela Gizzarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Despoina Kostopoulou
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Valentina Foglia Manzillo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Anastasios Saratsis
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Saratsi
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gaetano Oliva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137, Naples, Italy.
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter, 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Schäfer I, Müller E, Naucke TJ. Ein Update zur Leishmaniose des Hundes: Diagnostik, Therapie und Monitoring. TIERÄRZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE K: KLEINTIERE / HEIMTIERE 2022; 50:431-445. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1970-9590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungAufgrund von steigenden Importzahlen von Hunden aus dem Ausland, zunehmendem Reiseverkehr sowie den Veränderungen klimatischer Bedingungen in Europa gewinnen Infektionen mit Leishmania (L.) infantum bei Hunden in Deutschland zunehmend an Bedeutung. Daher sollten auch Hunde aus dem Ausland, die keine klinischen Symptome zeigen, direkt nach Import sowie erneut 6 Monate später auf vektorübertragene Infektionserreger getestet werden. Bei Hunden mit klinischer Symptomatik, die hinweisend auf eine Leishmaniose sind, werden direkte und indirekte Nachweisverfahren sowie eine hämatologische und biochemische Untersuchung unter Einbezug von Serumeiweißelektrophorese sowie Bestimmung des C-reaktiven Proteins empfohlen. Als Leitfaden für die Therapie sowie das Monitoring stehen die LeishVet-Guidelines zur Verfügung. Es stehen leishmanizide und leishmaniostatische Wirkstoffe zur Verfügung, die in first-line, second-line und third-line unterschieden werden. Zur Anpassung der Allopurinol-Dosierung wird der Stufenplan empfohlen. Aufgrund der Veränderung der klimatischen Bedingungen kommt es zu einer Ausbreitung der Habitate von Sandmücken, die als Vektoren der Leishmaniose bekannt sind. Als weitere Infektionsquellen sind Deckakte, transplazentare Infektionen, Bisswunden und Bluttransfusionen beschrieben. Leishmania infantum hat zoonotisches Potential und ist daher auch in Hinblick auf den „One-Health“-Gedanken bedeutend.
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Estimated specific antibody-based true sero-prevalences of canine filariosis in dogs in Central Europe and the UK. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3671-3680. [PMID: 36260253 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07695-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilariosis is a vector-borne disease mainly caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. In contrast to the known endemicity of dirofilariosis in southern and south-eastern Europe, information on the distribution of D. repens in Central-Europe is fragmentary. We tested 8877 serum samples from dogs from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Switzerland and the UK using an ELISA detecting filarial-specific antibodies, hypothesising higher occurrence of D. repens. Based on two overlapping frequency distributions, presumed negative samples had a mean optical density (OD) value of 0.097, representing 97.45% of all samples. Presumed positive samples, representing 2.55% of all sera, had a mean OD value of 0.287. Test prevalence based on the calculated cut-off was 3.51% for all sera (4.36% for Austria, 1.94% for Denmark, 1.39% for Germany, 3.37% for Italy, 6.90% for Lithuania, 6.99% for Poland, 0.77% for Switzerland and 0.0% for the UK, respectively). The bimodal distribution, representing overlapping distributions of OD values from positive and negative dogs, enabled the assignment of a probability of true infection status to each dog. Mean probabilities of true infection status across groups, based on the postal codes of origin, allowed us to estimate and map true prevalences. For all countries, except the UK, the true prevalence was lower than the test prevalence. The large number of serum samples and the use of a non-gold standard analytical method allowed us to create a more realistic picture of the distribution of D. repens in Central Europe and the UK.
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Mohr K, Nolff M, Zablotski Y, Dittus T, Korbel R, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Wolf G, Hiss K, Peters H, Schulz B. Einfluss der Verordnung über Tierärztliche Hausapotheken auf den Antibiotikaeinsatz bei Hund und Katze in Bayern. TIERÄRZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE K: KLEINTIERE / HEIMTIERE 2022; 50:337-347. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1949-0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung
Gegenstand und Ziel Ziel der Studie war es, Daten über den Einsatz von Antibiotika (AB) bei Hunden und Katzen in Tierarztpraxen und -kliniken in Bayern zu erheben. Dabei sollte evaluiert werden, ob sich Änderungen hinsichtlich des Antibiotikaeinsatzes nach Novellierung der Verordnung über Tierärztliche Hausapotheken (TÄHAV) im März 2018 ergeben haben.
Material und Methoden Mittels zweier anonymisierter Online-Umfragen wurden 2017 und 2020 Tierärzte/-innen (TÄ) in Bayern, zu deren Patienten Hunde und Katzen zählen, zur Anwendung von AB sowie zur Einschätzung der Resistenzsituation befragt. Die Ergebnisse der beiden Umfragen wurden anschließend miteinander verglichen.
Ergebnisse Für 2017 konnten 238 Fragebögen ausgewertet werden; 2020 waren es 160. Die 3 am häufigsten zur systemischen Therapie beim Kleintier angewendeten AB waren 2017 Amoxicillin/Clavulansäure (74,8 % der TÄ), Enrofloxacin (56,7 %) und Amoxicillin (53,4 %). 2020 wurden Amoxicillin/Clavulansäure (88,8 %), Amoxicillin (67,5 %) und Metronidazol (33,8 %) genannt. Die teilnehmenden TÄ gaben an, signifikant weniger Cephalosporine der 3. und 4. Generation (von 20,2 % der teilnehmenden TÄ in 2017 auf 9,4 % in 2020, p = 0,005) und Fluorchinolone (von 80,3 % auf 33,1 %, p < 0,001) einzusetzen. Die Wahl eines AB wurde 2020 bei 83,8 % der befragten TÄ durch rechtliche Vorgaben beeinflusst; weitere Einflussfaktoren waren Verträglichkeit (81,3 %), Applikationsart (76,9 %), Akzeptanz durch den Patienten (70,0 %) und Häufigkeit der Anwendung (64,4 %), wobei letzterer von TÄ aus der Praxis (83,8 %, p = 0,004) signifikant häufiger genannt wurden als von TÄ aus Kliniken.
Schlussfolgerung Im Vergleich zu 2017 gaben TÄ 2020 einen signifikant geringeren Einsatz von Fluorchinolonen und Cephalosporinen der 3. und 4. Generation bei Hund und Katze an. Diese Änderungen im Verschreibungsverhalten könnten Folgen der Novellierung der TÄHAV sein, die ein Umwidmungsverbot sowie eine Antibiogrammpflicht dieser AB-Klassen vorgibt.
Klinische Relevanz Rechtliche Vorgaben können möglicherweise einen positiven Einfluss auf die Menge und Art der in der Kleintiermedizin eingesetzten Antibiotika haben und somit bei der Vermeidung von Antibiotikaresistenzen helfen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaye Mohr
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München
| | - Mirja Nolff
- Klinik für Kleintierchirurgie, Tierspital Universität Zürich
| | - Yury Zablotski
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München
| | | | - Rüdiger Korbel
- Klinik für Vögel, Kleinsäuger, Reptilien und Zierfische der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München
| | | | - Georg Wolf
- Institut für Infektionsmedizin und Zoonosen der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München
| | - Katrin Hiss
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Erlangen
| | - Hannah Peters
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Erlangen
| | - Bianka Schulz
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München
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Morchón R, Montoya-Alonso JA, Rodríguez-Escolar I, Carretón E. What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years? Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11091042. [PMID: 36145474 PMCID: PMC9503846 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11091042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne disease that affects canids and felids, both domestic and wild, throughout the world. It is a chronic disease which causes vascular damage in pulmonary arteries, and in advanced stages, the presence of pulmonary hypertension and right-sided congestive heart failure can be evidenced. Moreover, pulmonary thromboembolism is caused by the death of the worms, which can be lethal for the infected animal. Furthermore, it is the causative agent of human pulmonary dirofilariosis, being a zoonotic disease. The aim of this review was to update the current epidemiological situation of heartworm in Europe in dogs, cats, wild animals, and vectors insects, and to analyse the factors that may have contributed to the continuous spread of the disease in the last decade (2012–2021). In Europe, the disease has extended to eastern countries, being currently endemic in countries where previously only isolated or imported cases were reported. Furthermore, its prevalence has continued to increase in southern countries, traditionally endemic. This distribution trends and changes are influenced by several factors which are discussed in this review, such as the climate changes, presence of vectors in new areas, the appearance of new competent vector species in the continent, increased movement of pets that travelled to or originated from endemic countries, the urbanisation of rural areas leading to the formation of so-called “heat islands”, or the creation of extensive areas of irrigated crops. The continuous expansion of D. immitis must be monitored, and measures adapted to the situation of each country must be carried out for adequate control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (E.C.)
| | - José Alberto Montoya-Alonso
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Arucas, Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Carretón
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Arucas, Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (E.C.)
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Miró G, Sarquis J, Cardoso L, Bourdeau P, Solano-Gallego L, Oliva G, Pennisi MG, Petersen C, Ferrer L, Baneth G. ALIVE: The 1st Animal Leishmaniosis International Veterinary Event in a hybrid format. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:817-822. [PMID: 36038427 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Miró
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juliana Sarquis
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Cardoso
- Departamento de Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Patrick Bourdeau
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l´Alimentation, Nantes-Atlantique (ONIRIS), Nantes, France.
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departamento de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Gaetano Oliva
- Departamento of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
| | | | - Christine Petersen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Lluís Ferrer
- Departamento de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Schäfer I, Müller E, Nijhof AM, Aupperle-Lellbach H, Loesenbeck G, Cramer S, Naucke TJ. First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:296. [PMID: 35999592 PMCID: PMC9396588 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05392-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatozoon canis is a protozoal agent that is known to be transmitted by oral uptake of H. canis-infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in dogs. Vertical transmission of H. canis has only been described once in a study evaluating dogs from Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological status of puppies from a bitch that had tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. prior to giving birth. Findings A 4-year-old, female, pregnant dog imported from Italy (Sardinia) to Germany showed clinical signs of lethargy and tachypnoea and tested positive for H. canis by PCR. The dog gave birth to eight puppies, one of which was stillborn and another that had to be reanimated. Haematology, buffy coat analysis and a biochemistry profile were performed for each dog. EDTA-blood of the surviving seven puppies and bone marrow, liver, spleen, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord of the stillborn puppy was tested for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. by PCR. The mother and the seven surviving puppies tested positive for H. canis by PCR at day 62 post-partum. Gamonts were detected in all dogs by buffy coat evaluation. Haematological and biochemistry results revealed mild abnormalities. In the stillborn puppy, spleen, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid were positive for H. canis. Conclusion The results confirm that vertical transmission is a possible route of H. canis infection in dogs, demonstrated by molecular detection of the pathogen in the stillborn puppy. In the seven surviving puppies, vertical transmission was the most likely transmission route. A potential impact of the level of parasitaemia on the health of puppies, as well as its pathogenesis, should be investigated further. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05392-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schäfer
- Laboklin GmbH and Co. KG., Bad Kissingen, Germany.
| | | | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Babesiosis in Southeastern, Central and Northeastern Europe: An Emerging and Re-Emerging Tick-Borne Disease of Humans and Animals. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050945. [PMID: 35630388 PMCID: PMC9146636 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
There is now considerable evidence that in Europe, babesiosis is an emerging infectious disease, with some of the causative species spreading as a consequence of the increasing range of their tick vector hosts. In this review, we summarize both the historic records and recent findings on the occurrence and incidence of babesiosis in 20 European countries located in southeastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia), central Europe (Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland), and northern and northeastern Europe (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway), identified in humans and selected species of domesticated animals (cats, dogs, horses, and cattle). Recorded cases of human babesiosis are still rare, but their number is expected to rise in the coming years. This is because of the widespread and longer seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus as a result of climate change and because of the more extensive use of better molecular diagnostic methods. Bovine babesiosis has a re-emerging potential because of the likely loss of herd immunity, while canine babesiosis is rapidly expanding in central and northeastern Europe, its occurrence correlating with the rapid, successful expansion of the ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) populations in Europe. Taken together, our analysis of the available reports shows clear evidence of an increasing annual incidence of babesiosis across Europe in both humans and animals that is changing in line with similar increases in the incidence of other tick-borne diseases. This situation is of major concern, and we recommend more extensive and frequent, standardized monitoring using a “One Health” approach.
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Karasová M, Tóthová C, Grelová S, Fialkovičová M. The Etiology, Incidence, Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Treatment of Canine Babesiosis Caused by Babesia gibsoni Infection. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060739. [PMID: 35327136 PMCID: PMC8944684 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Babesia gibsoni is a parasite that causes the rupture of red blood cells in dogs. Although there is no natural, tick-borne transmission of this disease in Europe, it has become more common in European countries in recent years. Dogfighting breeds are predisposed to disease and they are a potential source of infection. Given the high popularity of these dog breeds in Europe and the participation of many dogs at sports competitions and shows, it is likely that the incidence of the disease in Europe may be higher than expected. The fact that the disease is mostly manifested as asymptomatic infection and that dogs of predisposed breeds are often imported from endemic areas, or they travel due to mating or competitions around the world, also contributes to this hypothesis. Abstract Babesia gibsoni is one of the small Babesia species and the infection this pathogen causes is usually asymptomatic, which complicates the capture of potential parasite carriers. In endemic areas, especially in Asia, B. gibsoni occurs quite often due to direct transmission by way of a tick vector. Due to the absence of vectors, its occurrence is described only sporadically in Europe; but, it is increasingly occurring in predisposed, so-called fighting breeds, especially the American pit bull terrier. This review describes the etiology, incidence, clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment of B. gibsoni infection, with an emphasis on the clinical and laboratory peculiarities of the disease. As the treated dogs do not eliminate the parasite from the body—only reducing parasitemia and improving clinical signs—the treatment of B. gibsoni infection is a challenge in many cases, and its study therefore deserves great attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Karasová
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 04001 Košice, Slovakia; (S.G.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Csilla Tóthová
- Clinic of Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 04001 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Simona Grelová
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 04001 Košice, Slovakia; (S.G.); (M.F.)
| | - Mária Fialkovičová
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, 04001 Košice, Slovakia; (S.G.); (M.F.)
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11
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Fuehrer HP, Morelli S, Unterköfler MS, Bajer A, Bakran-Lebl K, Dwużnik-Szarek D, Farkas R, Grandi G, Heddergott M, Jokelainen P, Knific T, Leschnik M, Miterpáková M, Modrý D, Petersen HH, Skírnisson K, Vergles Rataj A, Schnyder M, Strube C. Dirofilaria spp. and Angiostrongylus vasorum: Current Risk of Spreading in Central and Northern Europe. Pathogens 2021; 10:1268. [PMID: 34684217 PMCID: PMC8537668 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, the relevance of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, causing cardiopulmonary and subcutaneous dirofilariosis in dogs and cats, and of Angiostrongylus vasorum, causing canine angiostrongylosis, has steadily increased in Central and Northern Europe. In this review, a summary of published articles and additional reports dealing with imported or autochthonous cases of these parasites is provided for Central (Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Luxemburg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland) and Northern (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) Europe. Research efforts focusing on Dirofilaria spp. and A. vasorum have varied by country, and cross-border studies are few. The housing conditions of dogs, pet movements, the spread of competent vectors, and climate change are important factors in the spread of these nematodes. Dogs kept outside overnight are a major factor for the establishment of Dirofilaria spp. However, the establishment of invasive, diurnal, synanthropic, competent mosquito vectors such as Aedes albopictus may also influence the establishment of Dirofilaria spp. The drivers of the spread of A. vasorum remain not fully understood, but it seems to be influenced by habitats shared with wild canids, dog relocation, and possibly climatic changes; its pattern of spreading appears to be similar in different countries. Both Dirofilaria spp. and A. vasorum merit further monitoring and research focus in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.S.U.); (K.B.-L.)
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Sophia Unterköfler
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.S.U.); (K.B.-L.)
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (D.D.-S.)
| | - Karin Bakran-Lebl
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (M.S.U.); (K.B.-L.)
| | - Dorota Dwużnik-Szarek
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (D.D.-S.)
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Giulio Grandi
- Section for Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mike Heddergott
- Department of Zoology, Musée National d’Historire Naturelle, 25, Rue Münster, 2160 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark;
| | - Tanja Knific
- Institute of Food Safety, Feed and Environment, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Michael Leschnik
- Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, Department/Universitätsklinik für Kleintiere und Pferde, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Martina Miterpáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Praha-Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Heidi Huus Petersen
- Centre for Diagnostic, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Karl Skírnisson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland;
| | - Aleksandra Vergles Rataj
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Christina Strube
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
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12
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Morelli S, Gori F, Colombo M, Traversa D, Sarrocco G, Simonato G, Nespeca C, Di Cesare A, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Veronesi F, Russi I, Schnyder M. Simultaneous Exposure to Angiostrongylus vasorum and Vector-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from Italy. Pathogens 2021; 10:1200. [PMID: 34578232 PMCID: PMC8472057 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several drivers have recently fostered the expansion of Angiostrongylus vasorum throughout Europe, where Vector-Borne Pathogens (VBPs) are also spreading. However, the level of simultaneous risk of infection is still unknown in canine populations. This study evaluated the simultaneous exposure to A. vasorum and major canine VBPs in dogs of Italy. Sera of 294 dogs were subjected to two ELISAs, detecting A. vasorum circulating antigens and antibodies against the parasite, and to the following assays: (i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and antibodies vs. Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and (ii) IFAT for the detection of antibodies vs. Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (7.5%, CI: 4.8-11.1%) and six (2%, CI: 0.7-4.4%) dogs scored positive for circulating A. vasorum antibodies and antigens, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%, CI: 3.4-9.1%) were positive for A. vasorum antibodies + at least one VBP, three (1%, CI: 0.2-3%) for A. vasorum antigen + at least one VBP, while one dog (0.3%, CI: 0.01-1.88%) was positive for A. vasorum antigen + A. vasorum antibodies + B. canis antibodies. These results show that dogs living in different regions of Italy are at risk of simultaneous infections with both A. vasorum and VBPs. Despite the same scenario being likely in other countries of Europe, the current knowledge is scant. Therefore, further studies are warranted to amplify current epizootiological information and to understand whether control programs should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Francesca Gori
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (F.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Giulia Sarrocco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Lengaro, Italy; (G.S.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Chiara Nespeca
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | | | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Russi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (F.G.); (M.S.)
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13
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Schäfer I, Kohn B, Volkmann M, Müller E. Retrospective evaluation of vector-borne pathogens in cats living in Germany (2012-2020). Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:123. [PMID: 33632312 PMCID: PMC7905428 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04628-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance because of increasing travel and import of pets from abroad as well as the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this study was to assess the percentage of cats with positive test results for selected vector-borne pathogens in Germany and explore any possible association of such results with time spent abroad. METHODS This retrospective study included test results from cats included in the "Feline Travel Profile" established by the LABOKLIN laboratory at the request of veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This diagnostic panel includes the direct detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. via PCR as well as indirect detection assays (IFAT) for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The panel was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards. RESULTS A total of 624 cats were tested using the "Feline Travel Profile." Serum for indirect detection assays was available for all 624 cats; EDTA samples for direct detection methods were available from 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%), and Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%) tested from July 2015 onwards. Three cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen before 2015. After testing for Rickettsia spp. was included in 2015, 19 cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen (Rickettsia spp. were involved in 14 out of these 19 cats). CONCLUSIONS At least one pathogen could be detected in 175 out of 624 cats (28%) via indirect and/or direct detection methods. Four percent had positive test results for more than one pathogen. These data emphasize the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in clinically symptomatic cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schäfer
- LABOKLIN GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Volkmann
- Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Martina M, Zuzana H, Daniela V, Lenka B. Different epidemiological pattern of canine dirofilariosis in two neighboring countries in Central Europe-the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:547-552. [PMID: 33409631 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06995-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The known data resulting from individual surveys of canine dirofilariosis point to the great differences in the epidemiological situation among countries where Dirofilaria parasites emerged approximately at the same time. In this regard, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, neighboring countries situated in Central Europe, could serve as an illustrative example of such a situation. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of canine dirofilariosis in both countries and to discuss the reasons for potential differences shown. Between October and December 2019, 429 dogs from the Czech Republic and 644 from Slovakia were examined for canine dirofilariosis using the Knott test for microfilariae detection and conventional PCR for the species determination. The results' analyses showed notable differences. While in the Czech Republic autochthonous Dirofilaria repens cases are reported sporadically and Dirofilaria immitis infections have been confirmed only as imported so far, in Slovakia, both Dirofilaria species seem to have become endemic. Concretely, in the Czech Republic, microfilariae were detected in the peripheral blood of 8 dogs (1.86%): in seven, D. repens was confirmed, and in one dog, mixed infection with D. repens and D. immitis was diagnosed. Seven infected animals came from the eastern part of the country neighboring Slovakia. In Slovakia, microfilariae were detected in 68 (10.56%) dogs examined. DNA analysis confirmed D. repens mono-infection in 38 (5.90%) dogs, single D. immitis infection in 21 (3.26%) animals, and both Dirofilaria species were detected in 9 (1.40%) samples. Although we are unable to determine the cause of the differences, our study confirmed that the long-registered low number of canine dirofilariosis cases in the Czech Republic is not due to insufficient investigation (monitoring), but due to a low prevalence of the parasite in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miterpáková Martina
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Hurníková Zuzana
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Valentová Daniela
- Veterinary and Food Institute, Botanická 15, 842 52, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Borková Lenka
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovakia.,Private Veterinary Practice Veterinárky srdcom s.r.o., Stavbárov 55/9, 971 01, Prievidza, Slovakia
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15
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Tamponi C, Scarpa F, Carta S, Knoll S, Sanna D, Gai C, Pipia AP, Dessì G, Casu M, Varcasia A, Scala A. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmania infantum in dogs in Sardinia (Italy), an endemic island for leishmaniasis. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:289-300. [PMID: 33205238 PMCID: PMC7846507 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06973-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread, vector-borne parasitosis causing clinical manifestations in animals and in humans. In dogs, Canine Leishmaniasis has been reported in as much as 50 countries and the Mediterranean basin is known to be one of the most affected zones. Within these areas, the Island of Sardinia (Italy) has long been considered endemic for leishmaniasis and the presence of two arthropod vectors has recently been reported there. Nevertheless, to date, no epidemiological surveys regarding CanL have been carried out on the island. Hence, for the first time, the seroprevalence and the risk factors were investigated. Blood samples, as well as clinical and general information from 1.147 dogs, were collected and analyzed. Dogs consisted of two distinct populations, namely "owned dogs" and "kennel dogs." Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected using IFAT and samples were scored as positive at a cut-off dilution of 1:80. Data was analyzed using a Chi-squared test and bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Overall, 15.4% of dogs were found to be infected with CanL while only 44.1% of these animals exhibited clinical signs. Owned dogs (27.2%) were found to be infected more often than kennel dogs (10.6%); male dogs were found to be more frequently infected than female dogs and the number of infected animals increases with age. The present survey confirmed the endemic nature of leishmaniasis in Sardinia with a similar seroprevalence as mainland Italy. The results obtained serve as validation for the hypothesis that, in endemic areas, clinical CanL representations constitute only a fraction of the leishmaniasis cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tamponi
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fabio Scarpa
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Carta
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Stephane Knoll
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Daria Sanna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Carolina Gai
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Pipia
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Casu
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Parassitologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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16
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Wright I, Jongejan F, Marcondes M, Peregrine A, Baneth G, Bourdeau P, Bowman DD, Breitschwerdt EB, Capelli G, Cardoso L, Dantas-Torres F, Day MJ, Dobler G, Ferrer L, Gradoni L, Irwin P, Kempf VAJ, Kohn B, Krämer F, Lappin M, Madder M, Maggi RG, Maia C, Miró G, Naucke T, Oliva G, Otranto D, Pennisi MG, Penzhorn BL, Pfeffer M, Roura X, Sainz A, Shin S, Solano-Gallego L, Straubinger RK, Tasker S, Traub R, Little S. Parasites and vector-borne diseases disseminated by rehomed dogs. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:546. [PMID: 33168100 PMCID: PMC7653694 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04407-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum is a working group of leading international experts who meet annually to evaluate current scientific findings and future trends concerning the distribution, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention of vector-borne infections of dogs and cats. At the 14th Symposium of the CVBD World Forum in Trieste, Italy (March 25-28, 2019), we identified the need to (i) bring attention to the potential spread of parasites and vectors with relocated dogs, and (ii) provide advice to the veterinary profession regarding the importance of surveillance and treatment for parasites and vector-borne infections when rehoming dogs. This letter shares a consensus statement from the CVBD World Forum as well as a summary of the problem faced, including the role of veterinary professionals in parasite surveillance, causal issues, and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing the problem. To limit opportunities for dissemination of parasites and vectors, whenever possible, underlying problems creating the need for dog rehoming should be addressed. However, when it is necessary to rehome dogs, this should ideally take place in the country and national region of origin. When geographically distant relocation occurs, veterinary professionals have a vital role to play in public education, vigilance for detection of exotic vectors and infections, and alerting the medical community to the risk(s) for pathogen spread. With appropriate veterinary intervention, dog welfare needs can be met without inadvertently allowing global spread of parasites and their vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Wright
- The Mount Veterinary Practice, Fleetwood, UK.
| | - Frans Jongejan
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Mary Marcondes
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrew Peregrine
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Dwight D Bowman
- Department Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | | | - Michael J Day
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | | | - Lluis Ferrer
- Department Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | - Peter Irwin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Volkhard A J Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Clinic of Small Animals, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Michael Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Ricardo G Maggi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gaetano Oliva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Barend L Penzhorn
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Xavier Roura
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel Sainz
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - SungShik Shin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Department Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Lehrstuhl für Bakteriologie und Mykologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Rebecca Traub
- Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Susan Little
- Department of Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
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17
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Schäfer I, Kohn B. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in cats: A literature review to raise clinical awareness. J Feline Med Surg 2020; 22:428-441. [PMID: 32326861 PMCID: PMC7787687 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x20917600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE Granulocytic anaplasmosis is a disease in humans and animals caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum within the family Anaplasmataceae. The pathogen is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes species. Infections with A phagocytophilum have often been described in dogs but reports on natural infections in cats are rare. An infection with A phagocytophilum should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats if the history reveals tick infestation and/or outdoor access in combination with the relevant clinical signs. GLOBAL IMPORTANCE A phagocytophilum is also important in human medicine because of its zoonotic potential. Due to the risk of vector-borne infections for both feline and public health, cats should be protected with ectoparasiticides, especially in endemic areas. AIM The aim of this review is to give an overview of the published data and summarise the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical signs and therapy of feline granulocytic anaplasmosis. As clinical signs are vague and non-specific, this review aims to raise awareness of A phagocytophilum infection, both among clinicians, so that they consider testing potentially exposed cats, and scientists, in order to prompt further research. EVIDENCE BASE Sixteen publications describing 55 cats have been reviewed. Thirty-four cats were well diagnosed based on guidelines of the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases and blood analyses were performed to varying extents for these cats. Because of the limited number of studies and a lack of knowledge in cats, clinical signs and blood analyses are compared with available data in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schäfer
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Small Animals, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, Building 1, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Small Animals, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, Building 1, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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