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Afonso P, Lopes AP, Quintas H, Cardoso L, Coelho AC. Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia conorii Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health. Pathogens 2024; 13:129. [PMID: 38392867 PMCID: PMC10893242 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020129] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to Ehrlichia canis were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to Rickettsia conorii were analysed using a commercial indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A total of 113 dogs from two different shelters were sampled, and seroprevalence values of 0.9% (95% confidence (CI): 0.2-4.8%) for E. canis and 9.7 (95% CI: 5.5-16.6%) for R. conorii were found. Multiple logistic regression investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds ratios (ORs) of R. conorii seropositivity were higher for female dogs (OR = 6.429; 95% CI: 1.201-34.407). Dogs seropositive for co-infection (E. canis + R. conorii) were more frequently observed among females (OR = 7.606; CI 95%: 1.478-39.132) and in Shelter 2 (OR = 18.229; 95% CI: 2.190-151.756). These findings show that shelter dogs in northern Portugal are exposed to E. canis and R. conorii, which can affect both canines and humans. It is imperative to adopt a One Health approach to educate the public about the hazards of canine zoonoses and develop legislation and procedures to control their spread and preserve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Afonso
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Hélder Quintas
- Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal;
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Coelho
- CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (P.A.); (A.P.L.); (A.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Maksimović Z, Dervišević M, Zahirović A, Rifatbegović M. Seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys in stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101875. [PMID: 34894522 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Stray dogs may be highly exposed to vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), including zoonotic agents, and therefore may pose a high risk of spreading infections to other animals and humans. Among the Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys and Ehrlichia canis are commonly identified species in dogs in Europe; however, information on the occurrence of these pathogens in canine populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in stray dogs in the Sarajevo region of B&H and to identify A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, E. canis and E. ewingii by molecular techniques. A total of 903 blood samples of stray dogs were screened by SNAP 4Dx Plus Test for the presence of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum/A. platys and E. canis/E. ewingii. Real-time PCR assays were performed for the detection of Anaplasmataceae, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, E. canis and E. ewingii in seropositive dogs. Antibodies to A. phagocytophilum/A. platys and/or E. canis/E. ewingii were detected in 187 (20.7%) samples. Seroprevalence was highest for A. phagocytophilum/A. platys (184/903, 20.4%). Two dogs had antibodies to E. canis/E. ewingii, while one dog was found to have antibodies to A. phagocytophilum/A. platys and to E. canis/E. ewingii. Forty-eight (25.7%) of the 187 seropositive dogs examined by Real-time PCR were positive for Anaplasmataceae. A. phagocytophilum was detected in 45 (24%) samples, while one sample was positive for A. phagocytophilum and A. platys. Two samples positive for Anaplasmataceae tested negative in the species-specific PCRs. E. canis or E. ewingii could not be detected in any of the Ehrlichia-seropositive dogs. These findings highlight the need for dog health monitoring, improving the health and welfare of stray dog population, and establishment of effective surveillance systems to combat VBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinka Maksimović
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Muamer Dervišević
- Veterinary Station "Divet", Stari Ilijaš b.b., Ilijaš, 71380, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amir Zahirović
- Department for Internal Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Maid Rifatbegović
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Molecular Detection of Ehrlichia canis in the Pet-Dog Population in R. N. Macedonia. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/acve-2021-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a widespread, tick-borne, canine disease, caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia canis. The main vector, a brown-dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is widely distributed, especially in areas with tropic, subtropic, or Mediterranean climates (Central and South America, Eastern and Western Asia, Africa, Australia and Southern Europe). The study performed in 2012, by Stefanovska et al., determined a seroprevalence of 18.7% of E. canis among the Macedonian dog population. Up to date, the presence of E. canis, using molecular diagnostic methods, has not been investigated in Macedonia. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the presence of E. canis, in the pet-dog population on the territory of the city of Skopje, North Macedonia, using a highly sensitive multiplex Real-Time PCR method (qPCR). Whole blood samples from 80 dogs of different breeds and ages, with clinical symptoms of CME and positive serology result for the presence of antibodies against E.canis, were collected for analyses. Out of 80 dogs, 36 (45%) were found as positive. The present work reports the first molecular detection of E. canis in pet dogs on the territory of the city of Skopje, Macedonia.
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Seroprevalences of Rickettsia conorii, Ehrlichia canis and Coxiella burnetii in Dogs from Montenegro. Acta Parasitol 2019; 64:769-778. [PMID: 31286358 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00098-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The incidence of vector-borne zoonoses has been increasing in Europe as a result of global climate change, and rickettsioses are a significant etiologic entity among these infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalences of Rickettsia conorii, Ehrlichia canis and Coxiella burnetii in dogs in Montenegro. METHODS The seroepidemiological study covered 259 dogs, of which 155 were owned dogs suspected of infection with agents of rickettsial aetiology from the continental (Podgorica) or five coastal municipalities of Montenegro (Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Ulcinj and Bar), and 104 dogs were from a public shelter in Podgorica. The presence of specific IgG antibodies against R. conorii was analysed using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, and the presence of antibodies against E. canis and C. burnetii was analysed using commercial indirect immunofluorescence tests (IFAT). RESULTS Seroprevalences of 73.36, 19.3 and 1.16% were determined for R. conorii, E. canis and C. burnetii, respectively. R. conorii was significantly more prevalent (χ2 = 14.53; p < 0.001) in owned dogs (81.93%) than in dogs from the public shelter (60.6%), while E. canis was more prevalent (χ2 = 12.31; p < 0.001) in dogs from the public shelter (29.81%) than in owned dogs (12.26%). Coinfection with two pathogens was determined in 40 (15.44%) dogs, and the prevalence of R. conorii/E. canis (χ2 = 4.23; p < 0.05) was greater in dogs from the public shelter (20.19%) than in owned dogs (10.97%). CONCLUSION The prevailing evidence from this study shows that dogs from Montenegro are exposed to pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. This calls for the One Health approach to sensitise the public on the risks of zoonoses from dogs and to formulate policies and strategies to mitigate their spread and safeguard public health.
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Kovačević Filipović MM, Beletić AD, Ilić Božović AV, Milanović Z, Tyrrell P, Buch J, Breitschwerdt EB, Birkenheuer AJ, Chandrashekar R. Molecular and Serological Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeenses, E. ewingii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni and B. vogeli among Clinically Healthy Outdoor Dogs in Serbia. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 14:117-122. [PMID: 31014716 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Data concerning combined molecular and serological prevalence of emerging canine tick-borne pathogens in Serbia are lacking. A large population of outdoor living dogs in Belgrade, Serbia's' capital, present an excellent population for epidemiology study. Blood samples were collected from 111 dogs, including 46 shelter, 31 free roaming, and 34 hunting dogs. Species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook Maine, USA) was applied for the molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni and B. vogeli. A research based SNAP assay (SNAP® M-A, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook Maine, USA) that uses genus and species-specific peptides was used to asses Anaplasma spp., A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia spp., E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii and Borrelia burgdorferi antibody status. B. canis, B. gibsoni and B. vogeli antibody status was assessed with an indirect immunofluorescence test (MegaCor Diagnostic, Horbranz, Austria). Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. DNA was not amplified. One quarter of the dogs were A. phagocytophilum, one dog was A. platys, one was E. ewingii and two dogs were B. burgdorferi seroreactive with the SNAP® M-A. Babesia canis or B. gibsoni DNA was amplified by PCR from 16.2% of dogs, whereas 67.6% were seroreactive to one or more Babesia spp. Babesia vogeli was not PCR amplified. We conclude that outdoor dogs in this territory are reservoirs for B. canis and B. gibsoni and are frequently co-exposed to combinations of Anaplasma and Babesia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica M Kovačević Filipović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Belgrade 11000, Serbia.
| | - Anđelo D Beletić
- Center for Medical Biochemistry, Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Anja V Ilić Božović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Zorana Milanović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | | | | | | | - Adam J Birkenheuer
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Tick infestation and occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and piroplasms in cattle in the Republic of Serbia. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1813-1818. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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