Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsial pathogens (TBRP) are important causes of infections in both dogs and humans. Dogs play an important role as a biological host for several tick species and can serve as sentinels for rickettsial infections. Our aim was to determine the presence of TBRP in dogs and in dog-associated ticks and their potential risk to human diseases in Medellin, Colombia. DNA for E. canis (16S rRNA and dsb) and A. platys (groEl) was detected in 17.6% (53/300) and 2.6% (8/300) of dogs, respectively. Antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. 82 (27.3%) and Anaplasma spp. 8 (2.6%) were detected in dogs. Antibody reactivity against both agents were found in 16 dogs (5.3%). Eight dogs showed antibody for Rickettsia spp. with titers that suggest 3 of them had a probable exposure to R. parkeri. Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (178/193) was the main tick in dogs, followed by R. microplus (15/193). The minimum infection rates (MIR) in R. sanguineus were 11.8% for E. canis and 3.4% for A. platys. E. canis and A. platys are the main TBRP infecting dogs and ticks and R. sanguineus s.l. is likely involved in the transmission of both agents. Interestingly, we found serological evidence of exposure in dogs for spotted fever group rickettsiae.
Highlights
Obligate intracellular bacteria of the order Rickettsiales cause several tick-borne diseases of human and veterinary medical importance
Of the 300 canine plasma samples tested, 82 (27.3%) contained antibodies reactive to E. canis with endpoint titers varying from 100 to 12,800, whereas 24 (8%) plasma samples were seroreactive to Anaplasma spp. through the enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) (SNAP 4DX plus) and 16 of these samples reacted to both genera (Ehrlichia and Anaplasma)
These eight canine samples were reactive at the 1:64 dilution to some of the other Rickettsia species (R. bellii, R. felis, R, amblyommatis, or R. parkeri)
Summary
Obligate intracellular bacteria of the order Rickettsiales cause several tick-borne diseases of human and veterinary medical importance This order encompasses two families: Anaplasmataceae that includes several pathogens of humans and animals within the genera Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, which are transmitted by species of ixodid ticks to mammalian hosts (Rar & Golovljova, 2011) and Rickettsiaceae containing pathogenic Rickettsia species that are found throughout the world and continue to emerge and reemerge as important causes of febrile illnesses in humans and numerous domestic and wild animals (Fang et al, 2017). Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys are the etiological agents of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) and Canine Infectious Cyclic Thrombocytopenia (CICT), respectively. These agents are the most common tick-borne pathogens detected in dogs in places around the world where Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) is present (Sainz et al, 2015; Cárdenas et al, 2007). Other species of the spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG) such as R. parkeri and R. massiliae have been associated with infection in humans and dogs from South America (Spolidorio et al, 2010; Cicuttin et al, 2004; Londoño et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
