Abstract
Domestic dogs may carry several vector-borne pathogens, including zoonotic agents, especially in tropical regions like Central America. The epidemiology of these pathogens is prone to change due to urbanization, trade and travel as well as climate change, necessitating repeated monitoring. This study aims to present a comprehensive picture of canine vector-borne diseases in Costa Rica, combining data on seroprevalence with molecular species identification of the causative pathogens. In this survey, 294 dogs from all seven provinces of Costa Rica were included. After a clinical examination, diagnostic blood samples were analyzed with regard to packed cell volume (PCV) and presence of microfilaria. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) as well as antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. Seropositive and microfilaremic blood samples were analyzed by PCR to detect current infections and identify the pathogen species. Overall, 45.24% (133/294, 95% CI: 39.45–51.11%) of dogs were seropositive for at least one of the tested pathogens. Seroprevalence was highest for Ehrlichia spp. (39.46%, 116/294, 95% CI: 33.83–45.29%), followed by Babesia spp. (23.13%, 68/294, 95% CI: 18.43–28.38%), Anaplasma spp. (13.27%, 39/294, 95% CI: 9.61–17.69%), and B. burgdorferi s.l. (0.34%, 1/294, 95% CI: 0.01–1.88%). Generalized linear mixed models indicated a significant association of Ehrlichia-, Anaplasma- and Babesia-seropositivity, as well as a significant effect of age and breed on Ehrlichia-seropositivity. Furthermore, a statistically significant negative effect of Ehrlichia-, Anaplasma-, and Babesia-seropositivity on PCV was found. Regarding current infections, Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in 51.72% (60/116, 95% CI: 42.26–61.10%) of Ehrlichia-seropositive dogs, while Ehrlichia ewingii and Ehrlichia chaffeensis were not detected. Furthermore, 10.26% (4/39, 95% CI: 2.87–24.22%) of Anaplasma-seropositive dogs were coinfected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys, while one animal (2.56%, 95% CI: 0.65–13.48%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum only. Among Babesia-seropositive dogs, Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon canis were detected in one animal each (1.47%, 1/68, 95% CI: 0.04–7.92%). Dirofilaria immitis antigen was detected in 4.42% (13/294, 95% CI: 2.38–7.44%) of dogs. In microfilaremic animals, D. immitis as well as Acanthocheilonema reconditum infections were identified. This survey demonstrates that canine vector-borne pathogens, including zoonotic agents like A. phagocytophilum and D. immitis, are widespread in Costa Rica. Thus, protection of dogs from disease-transmitting vectors is recommended from an animal welfare as well as public health perspective.
Highlights
Vector-borne diseases, including babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and dirofilariosis, may severely compromise canine health
Tick infestation of dogs is common in this region and mainly involves the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) [5,6,7], which is a competent vector for Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Babesia vogeli, and different Rickettsia species, among others [8]
This study aims to present a comprehensive picture of canine vector-borne diseases in Costa Rica, combining data on the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., B. burgdorferi s.l., and D. immitis among 294 dogs sampled in 2014 with molecular species identification of the causative pathogens
Summary
Vector-borne diseases, including babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and dirofilariosis, may severely compromise canine health. Often asymptomatic, these infections may lead to life-threatening symptoms such as anemia and thrombocytopenia with increased bleeding tendency, for example, as well as to a variety of unspecific symptoms [1]. Previous surveys of canine vector-borne diseases in Central America have revealed high levels of exposure to Ehrlichia spp. B. vogeli as well as Babesia gibsoni have been detected by PCR in dogs from certain locations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua [14,15,16], but large-scale serological surveys on canine babesiosis in Central America are lacking. Mosquito-borne Dirofilaria immitis infections have so far mainly been found in a regional pattern along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica [11, 17], in accordance with studies from Mexico demonstrating higher D. immitis prevalences along shorelines [18]
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