Abstract
BackgroundDogs that have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL), caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, are commonly co-infected with other pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens (VBP). A recent PCR-based study found that ClinL dogs are more likely to be additionally infected with the rickettsial bacteria Ehrlichia canis. Further information on co-infections in ClinL cases with VBP, as assessed by serology, is required. The research described in this report determined if dogs with ClinL are at higher risk of exposure to VBP than healthy control dogs using a case-control serology study.ResultsOf the 47 dogs with ClinL, anti-E. canis/ Ehrlichia ewingii antibodies were detected in 17 (36.2%), anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys antibodies in 5 (10.6%) and antigen for Dirofilaria immitis in 2 (4.3%). Of the 87 control dogs, anti-E. canis/E. ewingii antibodies were detected in 14 (16.1%) and anti-A. phagocytophilum/A. platys antibodies in 2 (2.3%). No anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibody tests were positive. No statistical differences between the ClinL dogs and control dogs regarding lifestyle or use of ectoparasitic prevention, were identified. The ClinL was significantly associated with anti-E. canis/E. ewingii antibodies (odds ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–6.7, P = 0.010) compared to controls by both multivariable logistic regression and structural equation modelling.ConclusionsIt was demonstrated that an increased risk for E. canis/E. ewingii seropositivity is present in dogs with ClinL compared to clinically healthy control dogs, despite similar ectoparasitic prevention use and lifestyle. Based on these findings it is suggested that dogs with ClinL should not only be tested for E. canis co-infection using PCR but also serologically for E. canis/E. ewingii.
Highlights
Dogs that have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL), caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, are commonly co-infected with other pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens (VBP)
The two dogs with D. immitis antigens underwent microfilaria PCR specification which was positive for A. reconditum and negative for D. immitis for both cases
A trend was identified between dogs with ClinL and A. phagocytophilum/A. platys seropositive. The findings from this serology study are in agreement with previous studies [3, 7] and further support the findings from the initial PCR based study, using a fairly similar cohort of samples, in which it was demonstrated that it is 12 times more likely for dogs with ClinL be co-infected with E. canis compared with healthy canine controls (CI: 1.5–106.0, P = 0.022) [6]
Summary
Dogs that have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL), caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, are commonly co-infected with other pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens (VBP). Often vector-borne pathogens (VBP) such as Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Hepatozoon canis and Babesia vogeli concurrently infect dogs which have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL) despite being transmitted by vectors different than these for L. infantum [2,3,4]. Such co-infections can result in an unexpected incubation time, atypical clinical sings, more severe clinicopathological abnormalities and worse prognosis for the dogs with CanL, compared with dogs that have CanL alone [2, 3, 5]. Additional information on co-infections in ClinL cases with VBP, as assessed by serology in case-control studies, is required.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
