Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, including Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in shelter dogs from Cuba. Blood samples were collected from 100 shelter dogs and examined by molecular methods. Overall, 85 (85%; 95% CI: 77.88–92.12) dogs tested positive for at least one vector-borne pathogen using species-specific qPCR assays. Among the positive samples, E. canis was the most prevalent 62% (95% CI: 52.32–71.68), followed by A. platys 40% (95% CI: 30.23–49.77) and Rickettsia felis 27% (95% CI: 18.15–35.85), whereas 36% (95% CI: 26.43–45.57) showed co-infections. All samples were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. The presence of 248 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs was not statistically associated with the occurrence of infections. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent haematological alteration found in PCR-positive dogs; it was statistically associated with the presence of E. canis, as well as co-infections (p < 0.05). The phylogenetic analyses of A. platys and E. canis based on 16S rRNA, groEL and gltA genes showed a low genetic diversity between Cuban strains. The present study demonstrates the high prevalence of vector-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential in shelter dogs from Cuba.
Highlights
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) consist of a group of infectious diseases caused by a range of pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors, including ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and lice [1]
Using sensitive species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and sequence confirmation, E. canis, A. platys, and Rickettsia felis were detected in dogs
It is of importance to note that the overall prevalence infection rate with at least one zoonotic pathogen (i.e., E. canis, A. platys and Rickettsia spp.) recorded during this study was higher than that reported in previous molecular studies conducted in dogs from Italy (44/145; 30.3%) [25], Thailand (78/181; 43.1%) [26], Brazil (118/181; 65.2%) [27], and Haiti (111/207; 53.6%) [28]
Summary
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) consist of a group of infectious diseases caused by a range of pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors, including ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and lice [1]. Some CVBD-causing pathogens are a cause of major zoonotic concern and constitute a serious human health hazard worldwide [1]. The Anaplasmataceae family are vector-transmitted bacteria that infect a variety of vertebrate hosts, including the tick-borne pathogens Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys, which are obligatory intracellular bacteria of monocytes and platelets, respectively [3]. Ehrlichia canis infection has a worldwide distribution and is the agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) in dogs, wolves and jackals. Infections with E. canis have become a public health concern, since an organism genetically and morphologically similar to E. canis was suggested to infect humans in Venezuela [4] and
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
