Abstract
BackgroundThe tropical climate of the Philippines and the high population of dogs, particularly in cities, favors the life-cycle of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), a vector of several canine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including zoonotic Rickettsia spp. Suspected cases of infections are commonly encountered in veterinary clinics, but the specific TBPs are rarely identified. Furthermore, infection with Rickettsia is not being clinically examined in dogs. In this study, the occurrence of TBPs in blood and ticks collected from household and impounded dogs in highly populated areas of the Philippines, Metro Manila, and the nearby province of Laguna, was examined.ResultsA total of 248 blood samples and 157 tick samples were subjected to PCR. First, samples were screened using primers for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. and Babesia/Hepatozoon spp. Those that turned positive were further subjected to species-specific PCR. Rickettsia spp. were also detected through a nested PCR. Of the 248 blood samples, 56 (22.6%) were positive for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., while 19 (7.6%) were positive for Babesia/Hepatozoon spp. Species-specific PCR revealed that 61 (23.4%) had a single TBP, with Ehrlichia canis being detected in 39 (15.7%) dogs, while 14 (5.6%) dogs were positive for different combinations of two to four TBPs. Rickettsia infection was detected in 6 (2.4%) dogs. In tick samples, 8 (3.2%) were positive for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp., while only 1 (0.63%) was positive for Babesia/Hepatozoon spp. As in the blood samples, E. canis was the most detected, being found in 5 (2%) samples. No tick samples tested positive for Rickettsia spp.ConclusionEhrlichia canis is the most common TBP affecting dogs in the Philippines. Co-infection with TBPs is quite common, hence testing for multiple TBPs is necessary. Through nested PCR, Rickettsia infection was detected in dogs, and to the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first molecular evidence of Rickettsia infection in dogs in the Philippines.
Highlights
The tropical climate of the Philippines and the high population of dogs, in cities, favors the life-cycle of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, a vector of several canine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including zoonotic Rickettsia spp
We investigated the occurrence of the commonly reported canine TBPs and Rickettsia spp. in household dogs presented to veterinary clinics and hospitals and in impounded dogs, as well as in R. sanguineus ticks collected from those dogs, from 12 areas in Metro Manila and Laguna, Philippines
Data on sample collection A total of 248 canine blood samples were obtained from 12 locations in southern Metro Manila and Laguna, 198 of which came from a total of 33 participating veterinary clinics and hospitals, while 50 came from a dog pound in Los Baños, Laguna
Summary
The tropical climate of the Philippines and the high population of dogs, in cities, favors the life-cycle of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), a vector of several canine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including zoonotic Rickettsia spp. The occurrence of TBPs in blood and ticks collected from household and impounded dogs in highly populated areas of the Philippines, Metro Manila, and the nearby province of Laguna, was examined. Knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of TBPs in human and animal populations, as well as in the tick vector in various geographical areas, is critical for their control. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a three-host tick, dropping from its host after each blood meal and molting in the environment to the stage. Concurrent infection with different TBPs can occur in dogs in endemic areas, especially in dogs heavily infested with ticks
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.
