Simultaneous Detection of Parasitic Vector Borne Diseases: A Robust Cross-Sectional Survey in Hunting, Stray and Sheep Dogs in a Mediterranean Area.

Manuela Gizzarelli,Valentina Foglia Manzillo,Maria Paola Maurelli,Maria Elena Morgoglione,Nour El Houda Ben Fayala,Giuseppe Cringoli,Laura Rinaldi,Lavinia Ciuca,Gaetano Oliva

doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00288

Manuela Gizzarelli, Valentina Foglia Manzillo + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00288

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Abstract

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are a spectrum of diseases caused by different pathogens transmitted by blood-feeding arthropoda. The aim of this study was to investigate leishmaniosis, babesiosis, and filarial infections in dogs with three different lifestyles (hunting, stray, and sheep dogs) in Molise, the smallest region of southern Italy, where data available about these parasitic infections are very scant. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 318 hunting, 180 stray, and 218 sheep dogs. Immunofluorescence antibody test, blood smear, molecular techniques and Knott's test were performed to detect Leishmania infantum, Babesia spp. and filarial nematodes. Association between positivity to CVBDs, age, sex, and living conditions was evaluated. An overall prevalence of 12.3% of CVBDs caused by L. infantum (10.2%), B. canis canis (0.3%) and filarial nematodes (2.1%) was detected. Three dogs showed co-infections of L. infantum and B. c. canis (0.1%) or Acanthocheilonema reconditum (0.3%). A significantly association was found only for filarial infection in hunting dogs. These parasites were reported also in dogs without clinical signs. It is very important to plan effective control programs for CVBDs to guarantee not only the health and welfare of pets, but also the public safety, because some of mentioned parasites are of zoonotic importance.

Highlights

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are a spectrum of diseases caused by different infectious/parasitic pathogens transmitted by blood-feeding arthropoda such as fleas, lice, mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand flies and ticks [1]
The limited extension of the Molise region territory, the small size of its dog population (56,729; www.lav.it) and the availability of an efficient veterinary system of active surveillance made it possible for us to have an accurate scenario of leishmaniosis and other CVBDs in dogs in this poorly investigated region
Canine leishmaniosis caused by L. infantum is endemic in all countries of the Mediterranean basin, but it is spreading northwards [20]

Summary

Introduction

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are a spectrum of diseases caused by different infectious/parasitic pathogens transmitted by blood-feeding arthropoda such as fleas, lice, mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand flies and ticks [1]. The most common CBVDs are anaplasmosis, babesiosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, dirofilariosis, ehrlichiosis, leishmaniosis, rickettsiosis, dipylidosis, and thelaziosis [2]. Most of these CVBDs are important for animal health. The interest on CVBDs has grown in the last two decades and an increased number of studies have been published in the recent few years [4]. The epidemiology of CVBDs (i.e., geographical distribution, prevalence, and pathogenicity) is changing due to several factors, especially climatic changes, ecosystem changes, increased mobility of dogs and humans and developing phenomena of chemoresistance to insecticides and acaricides [5]. CVBDs are spreading into areas considered non-endemic until recently [4]

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