Abstract
BackgroundNo molecular data have been available on tick-borne pathogens that infect dogs from Angola. The occurrence of agents from the genera Anaplasma, Babesia, Ehrlichia and Hepatozoon was assessed in 103 domestic dogs from Luanda, by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis.ResultsForty-six dogs (44.7 %) were positive for at least one pathogen. Twenty-one animals (20.4 %) were found infected with Anaplasma platys, 18 (17.5 %) with Hepatozoon canis, six (5.8 %) with Ehrlichia canis, six (5.8 %) with Babesia vogeli, one (1.0 %) with Babesia gibsoni and one (1.0 %) with an unnamed Babesia sp. The molecular frequency of single infections taken together was 37.9 % and that of co-infections with several combinations of two pathogens accounted for 6.8 % of the animals.ConclusionsThis is the first report of A. platys, B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, E. canis and H. canis infections diagnosed by PCR in domestic dogs from Angola. The present study provides evidence that dogs in Luanda are widely exposed to, and at risk of becoming infected with, tick-borne pathogens. Further investigation is needed, including a larger number of animals, canine populations from other cities and provinces of the country, as well as potential vector ticks, aiming at better characterizing and controlling canine vector-borne diseases in Angola.
Highlights
No molecular data have been available on tick-borne pathogens that infect dogs from Angola
Dogs and samples One hundred and three pet dogs presented to a veterinary clinic in the city of Luanda, Angola, were sampled during January and February 2013
Forty-nine apparently healthy dogs were presented for prophylactic procedures, including vaccination and deworming, or for elective surgery; 54 dogs clinically suspected of a canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) had anorexia, weight loss, fever, dehydration, onychogryphosis, lymphadenomegaly, gastrointestinal alterations, jaundice, dermatological or ocular abnormalities, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis or leukopenia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperglobulinemia
Summary
No molecular data have been available on tick-borne pathogens that infect dogs from Angola. The occurrence of agents from the genera Anaplasma, Babesia, Ehrlichia and Hepatozoon was assessed in 103 domestic dogs from Luanda, by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis. The size of the canine population was estimated to be 480,000 at the country level in the year 2013, with a density of 0.39 dogs per square kilometer [1]. The number of dogs in Luanda has not been determined and they range from house-kept pets to free-roaming and stray animals. Information on canine vector-borne disease (CVBD) agents at the local and regional levels allows veterinarians to better recognize the pathogens that can affect dogs, facilitating diagnosis and treatment [2, 3].
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