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Salant H, Nachum-Biala Y, Zivotofsky D, Tzur TE, Baneth G. Babesia negevi infection in dogs and response to treatment. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102282. [PMID: 37989015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is an important protozoan tick-borne disease associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia and caused by several different Babesia spp. Babesia negevi was first reported to infect dogs in the Middle East in 2020. This study describes the presentation, clinical signs, parasitemia levels quantified by molecular techniques, laboratory findings and treatment of dogs infected with B. negevi following the first description of this species. Clinical findings in the infected dogs, a 3-year old female and two 8-week old male and female pups, included extreme lethargy and pale mucous membranes, anemia and thrombocytopenia found in all three animals. Fever was present in the older female and icterus in the female pup. Babesia parasites resembling B. negevi were detected by microscopy of blood smears from the dogs. PCR of blood targeting the 18S rRNA and cox1 genes confirmed that babesiosis was caused by B. negevi and PCR targeting the Borrelia flagellin gene indicated co-infection with Borrelia persica in two dogs. Treatment of the dogs with imidocarb dipropionate resulted in clinical improvement and initial decrease in the B. negevi parasite load as detected by quantitative PCR in two dogs, however the female pup continued to deteriorate and died. The parasite load in the 3-year old female decreased from 43,451 parasites/µl blood pre-imidocarb dipropionate treatment to 803 parasites/µl within two weeks. In the surviving pup, it decreased from 3,293,538 parasites/µl pre-treatment to 20,092 parasites/µl after two weeks. Babesia negevi DNA was still recovered from blood samples by PCR despite repeated treatment with imidocarb dipropionate one-month post-treatment in the surviving pup and up to seven months post-treatment in the 3-year old female. Only treatment with atovaquone and azithromycin for ten days eliminated B. negevi in both dogs as confirmed by negative PCR two weeks later. In conclusion, treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was helpful for recovery from clinical disease but did not facilitate parasite elimination, and it is therefore recommended to treat canine B. negevi infection with the combination of atovaquone and azithromycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Tsachi Even Tzur
- American Medical Laboratories, 37 Havazelet Hasharon Street, Herzlia, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Minervino AHH, Marcili A, Moraes-Filho J, Lima JTR, Soares HS, Malheiros AF, Dias SR, Gennari SM, Labruna MB. Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from Indigenous Communities, Amazon, Brazil. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:458-464. [PMID: 37566524 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There are few reports of tick-borne pathogens infecting dogs living in indigenous communities of Brazil. Herein, we aimed to molecularly detect vector-borne pathogens in dogs from two indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon. Materials and Methods: We surveyed 327 dogs raised in Amazon region at 2 distinct indigenous ethnicities for the molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens (114 from Tapirapé and 213 from Karajá indigenous ethnicity). Whole blood samples were subjected to PCR and sequencing for Ehrlichia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the factors affecting the pathogen infection patterns in dogs. Results: Among the 327 blood samples, 40 were positive for Ehrlichia canis (12.2%), 2 for Anaplasma platys (0.61%), and 204 were positive for Hepatozoon canis (66.5%). Binary Logistic Regression showed association between E. canis infection and ethnicity (p = 0.010) and tick attachment (p = 0.041). Karajá dogs were 3.4 times (95% CI 1.3-8.5) more likely to be positive for E. canis than Tapirapé dogs. Dogs with ticks were 2.5 times more likely (95% CI 1.0-7.6) to be positive for E. canis than dogs without ticks. Conclusions: Our survey expands the knowledge regarding the presence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from indigenous communities in the Amazon region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arlei Marcili
- PhD Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University (UNISA), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonas Moraes-Filho
- PhD Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University (UNISA), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julia T R Lima
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Herbert S Soares
- PhD Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University (UNISA), São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio F Malheiros
- Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences (FACAB), State University of Mato Grosso, Cáceres, Brazil
| | - Salatiel Ribeiro Dias
- Laboratory of Animal Health (LARSANA), Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), Santarém, Brazil
| | - Solange M Gennari
- PhD Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University (UNISA), São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zarea AAK, Tempesta M, Fouad EA, Ndiana LA, Mahmoud MS, Mrenoshki D, Martella V, Decaro N, Chomel B, Greco G. Prevalence of Bartonella spp., haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. and others vector-borne pathogens in private-owned dogs and cats, Egypt. Acta Trop 2023; 240:106857. [PMID: 36775003 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne pathogens have been increasingly investigated for their impact on dog and cat health and their zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence estimates of selected vector-borne pathogens in client-owned pets from the Giza and Cairo governorates, Egypt. Out of 200 dogs and 100 cats, 94 (47%) and 23 (23%) were positive for at least one of the tested pathogens (P<0.0001). In particular, 84 (42%) dogs and 3 (3%) cats tested PCR-positive for Bartonella spp. (P<0.0001). A significantly higher prevalence of Bartonella spp. was detected in dogs from the rural areas of the Giza governorate (60/77, 79.2%, P<0.0001) compared to those from Cairo governorate. Bartonella henselae was the dominant species infecting dogs (81/200, 40.5%) followed by Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii (3/200, 1.5%), while B. henselae (2/100, 2%) and B. clarridgeiae were rare in cats. Haemoplasma DNA was detected in 17% (34/200) of dogs and 20% (20/100) of cats with increased risk in dogs from Giza rural areas (21/77, 27.27%, P=0.002) and from both dogs (16/63, 25.40%, P=0.03) and cats (7/14, 50%, P<0.002) with anemia. Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (30/200, 15%) and Mycoplasma haemocanis (4/200, 2%) in dogs and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (18/100, 18%) and M. haemofelis (2/100, 2%) in cats were detected. Additionally, 2 dogs were positive for C. burnetii DNA. Coinfections were detected in dogs, with the majority (23/200, 11.5%) including B. henselae and C.M. haematoparvum, followed by Mycoplasma haemocanis and C.M. haematoparvum (2/200, 1%) and B. henselae, CMhp and C. burnetii (2/200, 1%). Haemoplasma infection was high in Egyptian dogs and cats with a high prevalence for zoonotic Bartonella spp. in dogs with anemia, highlighting the need to investigate these agents in the diagnostic algorithm of anemia and to adopt preventive measures to protect both animal and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A K Zarea
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Tempesta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - E A Fouad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - L A Ndiana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - M S Mahmoud
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - D Mrenoshki
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - V Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - N Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - B Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - G Greco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
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Ciuca L, Martinescu G, Miron LD, Roman C, Acatrinei D, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L, Maurelli MP. Occurrence of Babesia Species and Co-Infection with Hepatozoon canis in Symptomatic Dogs and in Their Ticks in Eastern Romania. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101339. [PMID: 34684287 PMCID: PMC8538781 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the distribution of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis is well known in Romania, there is still a marked lack of information in many places of the country. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these haemoparasites in symptomatic dogs and in their ticks in Iasi, eastern Romania. Ninety owned dogs were subjected to clinical examination at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi and all detectable ticks (58 ticks from 15 dogs) were collected. Additionally, 124 ticks collected from the coat of other dogs (no. = 23) were included. Three Babesia species were found in dogs: Babesia canis (94.4%), Babesia vogeli (3.3%), and Babesia rossi (2.2%). All the dogs resulted negative for H. canis. The ticks were identified as follows: Ixodes ricinus (64%), Dermacentor reticulatus (33%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (3%). B. canis (Minimum Infection Rate; MIR = 81%), B. vogeli (MIR = 3%), and Babesia microti-like piroplasm (MIR = 1%) were found in ticks. Moreover, 15 ticks were positive for H. canis, 6 were co-infected with B. canis, and 1 with B. microti-like piroplasm. This is the first molecular identification of B. rossi in two symptomatic dogs from Romania, although further studies are needed to investigate the vector competence of other ticks from Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (G.M.); Tel.: +39-3661381556 (L.C.); +40-757872575 (G.M.)
| | - Gabriela Martinescu
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (G.M.); Tel.: +39-3661381556 (L.C.); +40-757872575 (G.M.)
| | - Liviu Dan Miron
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Constantin Roman
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Dumitru Acatrinei
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
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