Simultaneous Exposure to Angiostrongylus vasorum and Vector-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from Italy.

Simone Morelli,Giulia Simonato,Donato Traversa,Francesca Gori,Angela Di Cesare,Manuela Schnyder,Mariasole Colombo,Chiara Nespeca,Fabrizia Veronesi,Giulia Sarrocco,Ilaria Russi,Antonio Frangipane Di Regalbono

doi:10.3390/pathogens10091200

Simone Morelli, Giulia Simonato + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091200

Copy DOI

Abstract

Several drivers have recently fostered the expansion of Angiostrongylus vasorum throughout Europe, where Vector-Borne Pathogens (VBPs) are also spreading. However, the level of simultaneous risk of infection is still unknown in canine populations. This study evaluated the simultaneous exposure to A. vasorum and major canine VBPs in dogs of Italy. Sera of 294 dogs were subjected to two ELISAs, detecting A. vasorum circulating antigens and antibodies against the parasite, and to the following assays: (i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and antibodies vs. Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and (ii) IFAT for the detection of antibodies vs. Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (7.5%, CI: 4.8–11.1%) and six (2%, CI: 0.7–4.4%) dogs scored positive for circulating A. vasorum antibodies and antigens, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%, CI: 3.4–9.1%) were positive for A. vasorum antibodies + at least one VBP, three (1%, CI: 0.2–3%) for A. vasorum antigen + at least one VBP, while one dog (0.3%, CI: 0.01–1.88%) was positive for A. vasorum antigen + A. vasorum antibodies + B. canis antibodies. These results show that dogs living in different regions of Italy are at risk of simultaneous infections with both A. vasorum and VBPs. Despite the same scenario being likely in other countries of Europe, the current knowledge is scant. Therefore, further studies are warranted to amplify current epizootiological information and to understand whether control programs should be improved.

Highlights

Over the last decade, nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus have changed their distribution in Europe, with the spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum in canids [1,2], and new or unexpected findings of other species like Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus chabaudi and Angiostrongylus daskalovi in different animal hosts [3,4,5]
Of the 294 dogs examined, 27 dogs (9.2%, 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 6.1–13.1%) were exposed to A. vasorum, i.e., Ab or Ag of A. vasorum were detected in 22 (7.5%, CI: 4.8–11.1%) and 6 (2%, CI: 0.7–4.4%) dogs, respectively, while 1 dog was positive for both Ab and Ag
The present results show that dogs living in Italy can be simultaneously exposed to A. vasorum and several Vector-Borne pathogens (VBPs), with different positivity rates according to the investigated geographic areas

Summary

Introduction

Nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus have changed their distribution in Europe, with the spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum in canids [1,2], and new or unexpected findings of other species like Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus chabaudi and Angiostrongylus daskalovi in different animal hosts [3,4,5]. Dogs are frequently at risk of VBDs caused by non-parasitic (e.g., bacteria, viruses) and parasitic (e.g., protozoa) Vector-Borne pathogens (VBPs) transmitted by ticks and flying insects [10,12,15,16]. In Europe, the most important and distributed tick-borne bacteria are Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocitophylum, Rickettsia conorii and Borrelia spp.

Methods

Results

Conclusion