A field survey on parasites and antibodies against selected pathogens in owned dogs in Lilongwe, Malawi

Karin Alvåsen,Ulf Emanuelson,Johan Höglund,Richard Ssuna,Sandra M Johansson

doi:10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1358

Karin Alvåsen, Ulf Emanuelson + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1358

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to screen for selected parasites and antibody levels against vector-borne pathogens in owned dogs in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study population consisted of 100 dogs; 80 participating in vaccination–spaying campaigns and 20 visiting a veterinary clinic as paying clients. All dogs went through a general physical examination including visual examination for signs of ectoparasites. A total of 100 blood samples were analysed using commercial snap tests and 40 faecal samples by egg flotation in saturated sodium chloride. The sampled dogs had a seroprevalence of 12% for Anaplasma spp., 22% for Ehrlichia spp., 4% for Dirofilaria immitis and 1% for Leishmania spp. Eggs from Ancylostoma spp. were found in 80% of the faecal samples, whereas eggs of Trichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina were only present in 3%, 8% and 13% of the samples, respectively. Ectoparasites such as Ctenocephalides sp., Trichodectes sp. and ticks were present on 98%, 25% and 11%, respectively, of the campaign dogs. Among client dogs, 35% had Ctenocephalides fleas, 10% had Trichodectes lice and none had ticks. Public education and prophylactic treatment could be used to improve the animal welfare of dogs; this would most likely also have positive impact on public health.

Highlights

According to the concept of ‘One Health’, improvement of animal health contributes to the health of humans
Diseases in the animal population may constitute a threat to public health (Lavallén et al 2011; Matjila et al 2008; Schurer et al 2013), especially in low income countries (Bwalya et al 2011; Esemu, Ndip & Ndip 2011; Sowemimo & Asaolu 2008) such as Malawi
Dogs are associated with many zoonotic diseases and pose public health concerns worldwide (Millán et al 2013; Reaser, Clark & Meyers 2008; Slater 2001; Yabsley et al 2008)

Summary

Introduction

According to the concept of ‘One Health’, improvement of animal health contributes to the health of humans. In Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, the human population reached 905 000 in 2015 (CIA 2015) and the dog population was approximately 100 000 (of which 36 500 were strays) in 2013 (Boone 2013). The dog is a domestic animal that lives in close contact with humans and other animals. Despite their beneficial effects, dogs are associated with many zoonotic diseases and pose public health concerns worldwide (Millán et al 2013; Reaser, Clark & Meyers 2008; Slater 2001; Yabsley et al 2008). To prevent the spread of animal diseases and zoonotic pathogens, it is necessary to establish which pathogens are present (Irwin 2014; Noden & Soni 2015)

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