Abstract
BackgroundCanine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods. They have been an issue of growing importance in recent years; however, there is limited information about the vector-borne pathogens circulating in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to detect canine vector-borne bacteria and protozoa of veterinary and zoonotic importance using molecular methods.MethodsOne hundred and forty-two dogs from Lisbon, southern Portugal, were tested: 48 dogs from a veterinary hospital clinically suspected of vector-borne diseases and 94 apparently healthy dogs from shelters. Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Mycoplasma spp. infections were detected by PCR from blood samples and examined under light microscopy. Other information including clinical status and diagnostic test results were collected for each animal.ResultsInfections were detected by PCR in 48 (33.80%) dogs. Single infections were found in 35 dogs (24.64%), and co-infections were found in 13 (9.15%) dogs. Twenty-nine (20.42%) dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp., 15 (10.56%) for Mycoplasma spp., 11 (7.75%) for Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., and six (4.21%) for Babesia spp. DNA sequencing was used to identify Babesia vogeli (2.81%), Babesia canis (1.40%), Hepatozoon canis (20.42%), Mycoplasma haematoparvum (2.11%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (8.45%), Anaplasma platys (7.04%), and Ehrlichia canis (0.70%).ConclusionsThis is the first molecular identification of B. canis and M. haematoparvum in dogs from southern Portugal. This study highlights the importance of molecular methods to identify CVBD pathogens in endemic areas and helps to guide the clinical approach of veterinarians in practice.Graphical
Highlights
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods
In southern Europe, B. vogeli is the most commonly detected species transmitted by the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus [6], while B. canis is associated with Dermacentor reticulatus [7]
Infections were detected by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 48 (33.80%; confidence interval (CI) 26.5–41.9%) dogs
Summary
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods. Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. These are transmitted to dogs by different species of arthropod vectors. In southern Europe, B. vogeli is the most commonly detected species transmitted by the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus [6], while B. canis is associated with Dermacentor reticulatus [7]. Babesia vogeli, and “Babesia vulpes” DNA were found in dogs from northern Portugal [10, 11], whereas in southern Portugal, only DNA from B. vogeli was reported [12]. Seroprevalence of B. canis reported from autochthonous Portuguese dogs was 58% [13]
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