Abstract
The present study investigated the presence of endo- and ecto-parasites, and vector-borne pathogens, in dogs from four islands of Greece. A total of 200 (123 owned and 77 sheltered) dogs were examined with different microscopic, serological and molecular methods.Of the examined dogs, 130 (65%) were positive for one or more parasites and/or vector-borne pathogens. The most common zoonotic intestinal helminths recorded were Ancylostomatidae (12.5%) and Toxocara canis (3.5%). Ninety-three dogs (46.5%) seroreacted to Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (11%) of them were also PCR positive and 7 (3.5%) showed corpuscles suggestive of Rickettsia spp. on the blood smears. Nineteen dogs (9.5%) were seropositive for Ehrlichia canis, three of them being also PCR positive. Dogs positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-Anaplasma platys (1%), Dirofilaria immitis (0.5%) and Babesia canis (0.5%) were also found. Fleas and ticks were recorded in 53 (26.5%) and 50 (25%) dogs, respectively, and all specimens were identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Binary multiple univariate Generalized Linear Models were used to investigate factors and clinical signs related to the recorded positivity, while the association of specific signs with the pathogens was evaluated using tests of independence. Knowledge of occurrence and impact of zoonotic parasites and vector-borne pathogens in dog populations is crucial to prevent the infection in animals and people, and to control the risk of spreading of these pathogens in endemic and non-endemic areas.
Highlights
Several parasitoses and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) of veterinary importance represent a serious hazard for human health, when transmission pressure and circulation of zoonotic infections are difficult to control
Dogs are efficient sentinels for investigating the occurrence and the epidemiological impact of zoonoses [2, 3] and a constant sanitary monitoring of canine populations is crucial, data on the simultaneous occurrence of endo/ecto- parasites and VBDs in several Mediterranean areas are still limited to specific narrow areas or to selected pathogens [4,5,6,7]
A recent study conducted in Greece has shown that cats may be infected and/or exposed to a number of intestinal parasites and agents transmitted by arthropods, several of them of zoonotic importance and potentially shared between cats and dogs [9]
Summary
Several parasitoses (e.g. internal helminthoses) and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) of veterinary importance represent a serious hazard for human health, when transmission pressure and circulation of zoonotic infections are difficult to control. Because of a lifestyle that implies a low-grade of sanitary management, stray and free-roaming dogs are at high risk of becoming infected with a wide range of pathogens. They act as a permanent source of infection for vectors, other animals and humans [1, 2]. The number of stray dogs in most Greek Islands is low but many privately owned animals have a free-roaming lifestyle due to the local rural territory. The present study aimed to investigate the simultaneous occurrence of intestinal parasites, vector-borne pathogens and ectoparasites, in different canine populations, including stray and owned dogs in four regions of insular Greece
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