Canis Infection In Dogs Research Articles

Prevalence of Hepatozoon canis infection in dogs from the area of Lublin Voivodship

Canine hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne protozoal disease. Two species of Hepatozoon may infect dogs: Hepatozoon americanum and H. canis. The aim of the paper was to attempt to detect the genetic material of H. canis in blood samples collected from dogs suspected to suffer from tick-borne diseases. 107 samples were tested with the use of the real-time PCR technique (Vcheck M Bionote analyser), of which 99 were collected from dogs which never left Polish territory (group 1) and 8 from dogs which spent the holidays with their owners in Turkey (group 2). DNA of H. canis was detected in 1 dog in group 1 (with Ixodes ricinus infestation), and in 2 dogs in group 2 (with Ripicephalus sanguineus infestation). The results obtained indicate that infections with H. canis should be taken into account and included in the differential diagnosis of vector-borne diseases in dogs in Poland, and the accurate identification of the infection agent is crucial for developing the correct treatment regimen and prognosis.

A review of Hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis in dogs.

Hepatozoon canis is a type of single-celled organism is spread by ticks and commonly affects dogs. It is responsible for causing one of the most significant parasitic diseases in dogs, called Hepatozoonosis. It is considered one of the most common causes of canine vector-borne diseases because it is closely linked to Rhipicephalus sanguineus (the brown dog tick), a species found worldwide. Hepatozoonosis caused by H. canis is prevalent in regions such as South Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. H. canis often causes emaciation, anemia, and intermittent fever in infected dogs. The drugs used to treat H. canis infection in dogs include the combination of imidocarb dipropionate with doxycycline, toltrazoril, tetracycline hydrochloride, and the combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.The primary solution to prevent the spread of infections caused by H. canis is to control the population of R. sanguineus ticks because H. canis is spread through ticks. This review aims to provide a brief overview of various studies conducted on the morphology, life cycle, hosts, epidemiology, clinical symptoms, laboratory diagnosis, autopsy findings, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods of H. canis.

Reticulocyte Response in Paired Blood Samples of Babesia canis Infected Young and Adult Dogs

Abstract Acute B. canis infection can lead to an acute phase reaction (APR) in dogs. The parasite invades red blood cells causing anemia through immune-mediated hemolysis and possible erythropoietic suppression. A regenerative response of the erythroid lineage during the babesiosis has not been described in extension. This research examines hematologic parameters focusing on the absolute reticulocyte count and apolipoprotein A I (ApoA I) level on the day of admission and 14 days after treatment with imidocarb-dipropionate in young (n=11) and adult (n=11) dogs naturally infected with B. canis. Metabolic and inflammatory processes were characterized by analyzing protein and lipid profiles, as well as ApoA I at specified time points. Automated analyzers were used to determine complete blood count and biochemical parameters, while ApoA I was assessed using radioimmunoassay. The reticulocyte count was determined using a manual method by means of supravital staining. Both young and adult dogs with acute B. canis infection showed non-regenerative anemia without difference. Fourteen days after successful treatment with imidocarb-dipropionate, the anemia was corrected and a high reticulocyte count was observed (p<0.05). This indicates that the erythroid regenerative response was efficient in young and adult dogs, although vital signs, leukocyte count and triglyceride concentration suggest a more intense APR in young dogs. A decrease in ApoA I in both groups 14 days after treatment (p<0.01) confirmed that this lipoprotein acts as a positive acute-phase protein in acute B. canis infection in dogs, but further studies are needed to connect its role in erythroid lineage regeneration.

A cross-sectional study to quantify the prevalence of Toxocara canis in dogs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Toxocara canis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite. The parasite has recently become a concern for public health in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify and quantify the risk factors associated with T. canis infection in dogs in Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The risk factors were identified using a mixed-effects logistic regression model and quantified using population attributable fractions. Examination of fecal samples collected from 1455 dogs using the sodium nitrate flotation technique showed 37.32% (95% CI: 34.83-39.86) of dogs infected with T. canis. The factors, including study location, multiple dogs living in a household, dog age, dog breed, and places keeping dogs were associated with a dog's likelihood of being T. canis infection. The household and individual dog levels contributed 17% and 82%, respectively, to the prevalence of T. canis in dogs. The adjusted population attributable fraction for confining dogs and raising an individual dog per household was 52% and 27%, respectively. The result of this study indicated that to minimize the burden of T. canis, intervention measures should target individual dogs and household levels.

Proteomics identification of overexpressed serum proteins in dogs with Babesiacanis infection.

Canine babesiosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Babesia canis, is characterized by clinical manifestations, including hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, multiple organ failure, and may result in death. This disease is detected using conventional blood smears, which are time-consuming and have low sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate a more rapid and sensitive method for detecting B. canis infection in dogs by examining the expressed serum protein profiles using proteomics. We collected six sera samples from three healthy and three B. canis-infected dogs diagnosed using blood smear and polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed the proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The candidate spots from the gel were subjected to protein identification using a nano-liquid chromatography system coupled to an ion-trap mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization nano-sprayer. We found that 10 protein spots were overexpressed in the serum samples from infected dogs compared with healthy dogs, which corresponded to three proteins: serotransferrin, serotransferrin isoforms X1, and hemopexin. Furthermore, analysis of the protein-protein interaction network confirmed that they strongly interacted with each other. This study suggests that high levels of serotransferrin and hemopexin are related to B. canis infection, making these proteins potential candidates for the development of diagnostic molecules or vaccines.

The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features

BackgroundCanine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a common infection in dogs, with frequent case reports from the Mediterranean region and more recently from several Central European countries, such as Hungary and Germany. Despite the high prevalence of H. canis in red foxes, no infections have been reported to date in dogs in Poland. We describe here the first autochthonous cases of H. canis infection in dogs, including their clinical features, and report the prevalence of H. canis in grey wolves from different regions of Poland.MethodsThin smears prepared from blood samples collected from dogs were evaluated by microscopic examination. A total of 60 wolves and 47 dogs were tested. Infections were confirmed by PCR and sequencing.ResultsGamonts of H. canis were found in > 50% of the neutrophils of two dogs and in < 10% of the neutrophils in another five dogs. Molecular typing by PCR sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragment confirmed infections in 11 dogs from different regions of Poland, in 2.7% of dogs attending veterinary practices in central Poland and in 35% of wolves from various geographical regions of Poland. Clinical features manifested mostly in older dogs, and the most common signs were anaemia and apathy. Young dogs usually remained asymptomatic.ConclusionsThis is the first report of H. canis infection in dogs and wolves in Poland. Although the exact vector of the parasite is not known, veterinary practitioners should be aware of this new parasitosis and should consider appropriate diagnostics to confirm/exclude this infection. Further studies are needed to understand the transmission routes of H. canis in domestic and wild canids in Poland.Graphical

Molecular prevalence and factors associated with Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs from the North Pantanal wetland, Brazil.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by the obligatory intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia canis, which is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its prevalence within dog populations is high in municipalities located across the Pantanal biome, but it remains unknown in Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and factors associated with E. canis infection in dogs domiciled in Barão de Melgaço. A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of E. canis infection in 369 dogs from urban and rural areas in Barão de Melgaço, North Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Initially, the dogs were examined, and, through a questionnaire, the risk factors were investigated. Blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR was performed to estimate the prevalence of E. canis infection. The molecular prevalence of E. canis infection in dogs was 42.5% and none of the studied variables were significantly associated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity (p > 0.05). The high molecular prevalence demonstrates an increased transmission of the agent across the city. This also indicates that attention needs to be paid to E. canis infection and control measures should be introduced to prevent its transmission. The demographic and clinical risk factors commonly associated with E. canis infection in this study were not associated with PCR positivity.

First seroprevalence and molecular identification report of Brucella canis among dogs in Greater Cairo region and Damietta Governorate of Egypt.

Given the rise in stray and imported dogs in Egypt over the past 5 years, it is surprising that no report of Brucella canis infection in dogs or humans has been documented in Egypt's published papers. This study aimed to detect the presence of antibodies against the rough (B. canis) and smooth Brucellae among dogs in Egypt and to characterize the Brucella species circulating in dogs. Blood samples (n = 449) were collected from owned and stray dogs in the Greater Cairo region (n = 309) and Damietta governorate (n = 140). The apparent, true, and total seroprevalence of canine brucellosis caused by B. canis infection were calculated using the 2-mercaptoethanol tube agglutination test (2-ME TAT) and rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT). We used the rose Bengal test (RBT) and the buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT) to check the serum samples from dogs for the presence of antibodies against smooth Brucellae. Three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays - Bruce-ladder PCR, B. canis species-specific PCR (BcSS-PCR), and Abortus Melitensis Ovis Suis (AMOS)-PCR - were used to determine the Brucella species in the buffy coats of the serologically positive dogs. The overall apparent and true prevalence of B. canis infection in dogs were estimated to be 3.8% and 13.2%. The estimated true prevalence in stray dogs (15%) was higher than in owned dogs (12.5%). The BAPAT and the RBT using smooth antigens revealed that 11 (2.4%) and 9 (2%) were positive. Bruce-ladder PCR targeting eryC, ABC, and Polysaccharide deacetylase genes was able to identify B. canis in nine out of 17 buffy coat samples. AMOS-PCR identified the eight undetermined Brucella species by Bruce-ladder PCR as Brucella abortus (n = 4) and Brucella melitensis (n = 4). To exclude the presence of Brucella suis, a one-step species-specific BcSS-PCR was performed and specifically amplified all B. canis DNA (n = 9) the same as did the Bruce-ladder PCR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. canis detection in dogs in Egypt. Molecular identification of B. abortus and B. melitensis in the Egyptian canines highlights the role of stray dogs in brucellosis remerging in Brucellosis-free dairy farms. Brucella canis infection can be diagnosed specifically with the one-step BcSS-PCR. The obtained results set-an-alarm to the veterinary authorities to launch plans to control this disease in dogs.

Differential miRNA expression profiles in the bone marrow of Beagle dogs at different stages of Toxocara canis infection

BackgroundToxocara canis is distributed worldwide, posing a serious threat to both human and dog health; however, the pathogenesis of T. canis infection in dogs remains unclear. In this study, the changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the bone marrow of Beagle dogs were investigated by RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis.ResultsThirty-nine differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified in this study. Among these, four DEmiRNAs were identified at 24 h post-infection (hpi) and all were up-regulated; eight DEmiRNAs were identified with two up-regulated miRNAs and six down-regulated miRNAs at 96 hpi; 27 DEmiRNAs were identified with 13 up-regulated miRNAs and 14 down-regulated miRNAs at 36 days post-infection (dpi). Among these DEmiRNAs, cfa-miR-193b participates in the immune response by regulating the target gene cd22 at 24 hpi. The novel_328 could participate in the inflammatory and immune responses through regulating the target genes tgfb1 and tespa1, enhancing the immune response of the host and inhibiting the infection of T. canis at 96 hpi. In addition, cfa-miR-331 and novel_129 were associated with immune response and self-protection mechanisms at 36 dpi. 20 pathways were significantly enriched by KEGG pathway analysis, most of which were related to inflammatory response, immune response and cell differentiation, such as Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), ECM-receptor interaction and Focal adhesion.ConclusionsThese findings suggested that miRNAs of Beagle dog bone marrow play important roles in the pathogenesis of T. canis infection in dogs and provided useful resources to better understand the interaction between T. canis and the hosts.

First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe

BackgroundHepatozoon canis is a protozoal agent that is known to be transmitted by oral uptake of H. canis-infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks in dogs. Vertical transmission of H. canis has only been described once in a study evaluating dogs from Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological status of puppies from a bitch that had tested positive for Hepatozoon spp. prior to giving birth.FindingsA 4-year-old, female, pregnant dog imported from Italy (Sardinia) to Germany showed clinical signs of lethargy and tachypnoea and tested positive for H. canis by PCR. The dog gave birth to eight puppies, one of which was stillborn and another that had to be reanimated. Haematology, buffy coat analysis and a biochemistry profile were performed for each dog. EDTA-blood of the surviving seven puppies and bone marrow, liver, spleen, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord of the stillborn puppy was tested for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. by PCR.The mother and the seven surviving puppies tested positive for H. canis by PCR at day 62 post-partum. Gamonts were detected in all dogs by buffy coat evaluation. Haematological and biochemistry results revealed mild abnormalities. In the stillborn puppy, spleen, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid were positive for H. canis.ConclusionThe results confirm that vertical transmission is a possible route of H. canis infection in dogs, demonstrated by molecular detection of the pathogen in the stillborn puppy. In the seven surviving puppies, vertical transmission was the most likely transmission route. A potential impact of the level of parasitaemia on the health of puppies, as well as its pathogenesis, should be investigated further.Graphical

Prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in dogs and Toxocara egg environmental contamination in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-022-01525-y.

PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EHRLICHIA CANIS INFECTION IN DOGS IN THUA THIEN HUE

The survey was carried out at OKADA PET Veterinary Center, Hue City, with 935 dogs of different ages and breeds. The results show that 39.6% of dogs have the clinical signs of Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) infection, 95.7% of which were serologically positive for E. canis antibody. The results also indicate that 54.9% of dogs have E. canis morulae in monocytes and/or neutrophils. Statistical analysis reveals that the prevalence of E. canis infection in dogs is not affected by breed, gender or age. The clinical symptoms of infected dogs are very complex, including fever, abortion, joint pain, breast tumours, short breathing, nasal haemorrhage, weakness, pale mucosa, skin inflammation, hair loss around the eyes, eye discharges, cloudy eyes, refuging to eat, diarrhoea, belly skin haemorrhage, anorexia, constipation, ascites, vomiting, depression, salivation, and metritis. About 37.9% of dogs are serologically infected with Ehrlichia canis with various symptoms.

Identification of parameters and formulation of a statistical and machine learning model to identify Babesia canis infections in dogs using available ADVIA hematology analyzer data

BackgroundCanine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease in endemic regions. One of the relevant subspecies in Europe is Babesia canis, and it can cause severe clinical signs such as hemolytic anemia. Apart from acute clinical symptoms dogs can also have a more chronic disease development or be asymptomatic carriers. Our objective was to identify readily available ADVIA hematology analyzer parameters suggestive of B. canis parasitemia in dogs and to formulate a predictive model.MethodsA historical dataset of complete blood count data from an ADVIA hematology system with blood smear or PCR confirmed parasitemia cases was used to obtain a model by conventional statistics (CS) methods and machine learning (ML) using logistical regression and tree methods.ResultsBoth methods identified that important parameters were platelet count, mean platelet volume and percentage large unstained cells. We were able to formulate a CS model and ML model to screen for Babesia parasitemia in dogs with a sensitivity of 84.6% (CS) and 100% (ML), a specificity of 97.7% (CS) and 95.7% (ML) and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 36.78 (CS) and 23.2 (ML).ConclusionsThis study introduces two methods of screening for B. canis parasitemia on readily available data from ADVIA hematology systems. The algorithms can easily be introduced in laboratories that use these analyzers. When the algorithm marks a sample as ‘suggestive’ for Babesia parasitemia, the sample is approximately 37 times more likely to show Babesia merozoites on blood smear analysis.Graphical

First report on molecular characteristics and risk factor analysis of Ehrlichia canis in dogs in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Background and Aim:Ehrlichia canis is a well-known cause of both anemia and thrombocytopenia in dogs. There are insufficient epidemiological data on this blood parasite in Thailand and the association of infections with hematological abnormalities. This study aimed to analyze the molecular characteristics and to identify E. canis as well as the risk factors associated with E. canis infection in dogs in Khon Kaen, Thailand.Materials and Methods:Blood samples from 126 dogs that visited animal clinics were subjected to molecular detection using nested polymerase chain reaction for E. canis 16S rRNA gene. The risk factors and hematological profiles associated with the infection were analyzed using the logistic regression test in program SPSS version 19.Results:Forty-one dogs were infected, indicating a 32.5% molecular infection rate of E. canis. The factors significantly associated with E. canis infection include animal housing status, low packed cell volume, low red blood cell count, and low platelets (p<0.05). Ten positive samples were amplified, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the current ten samples as E. canis compared with reference sequences in GenBank, using the BLAST program hosted by NCBI, which showed 99.74-100% similarity.Conclusion:This study provided the first data of infection rate of E. canis using nested PCR and molecular characteristics of E. canis in randomly selected domestic dogs in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Low serum levels of promatrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 occur during acute Babesia canis infection in dogs

Inflammation is a hallmark of the acute Babesia canis infection. Promatrix metalloproteinase (proMMP)-2 and -9 are involved in inflammation, but their levels have not been analyzed in canine babesiosis. We hypothesized that in dogs infected with B. canis, serum proMMP-2 and -9 levels change between presentation and recovery. Degree of the change differs if dogs develop systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). This study included 24 dogs with an acute B. canis infection, at presentation and after two weeks. We used routine hematology and biochemistry methods, spectrophotometry for the acute-phase proteins, microscopy for parasitemia and zymography for (pro)MMPs. In vitro endothelial cells and leukocyte short-term cultures, and platelet lysates were used to detect specific MMP activity. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon test for paired samples, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s rank correlation. Our results showed that endothelial cells, leukocytes and platelets are the source of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9. Furthermore, both proMMPs were lower at presentation than after recovery (p < 0.001). At presentation, proMMP-9 levels correlated with parasitemia (rho = -0.616, p = 0.009), total leukocyte (rho = 0.704, p < 0.001) and neutrophil counts (rho = 0.741, p < 0.001). Extent of alterations in proMMP-2 levels between presentation and recovery was lower (p = 0.038) in dogs with SIRS than in non-SIRS dogs, while levels of proMMP-9 were comparable between these groups. Our conclusion is that during the acute B. canis infection, low serum levels of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 at presentation reflect thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Decreased proMMP-2 level could be associated with SIRS.

Antioxidant Status, and Blood Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Dogs with Uncomplicated Babesiosis due to Babesia Canis Infections.

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to demonstrate a link between uncomplicated Babesia canis infection in dogs and blood concentrations of zinc and copper and erythrocytic antioxidant defence – activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).Material and MethodsThe study was based on 15 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis with anorexia, pyrexia, depression, pale mucous membrane, splenomegaly and dark red urine. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears and the results of PCR confirmed B. canis infection. Seven apparently healthy dogs brought in for either a check-up or vaccination were used for comparison.ResultsThe levels of the erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes - SOD and CAT - were significantly higher in the infected dogs than in cytologically negative dogs. The levels of blood micronutrients were significantly lower in the infected dogs (0.478 μg of zinc per mL vs 1.241 μg/mL and 0.722 μg of copper per mL vs 1.392 μg/mL).ConclusionOxidative stress can be posited as one of the mechanisms leading to anaemia in dogs with babesiosis, and therefore antioxidant biomarker and copper and zinc concentrations could be used as indicators of disease severity and prognostic markers.

Seroprevalence and Genotypic Analysis of Ehrlichia canis Infection in Dogs and Humans in Cauca, Colombia.

Ehrlichia canis infections have been reported in humans in Venezuela and Costa Rica. In this study, 506 healthy residents and 114 dogs from four municipalities (Cauca, Colombia) were surveyed and blood samples collected. Antibodies to E. canis in human and canine sera were evaluated using the Tandem repeat protein 19 (TRP19) peptide ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Ehrlichia canis TRP19 antibodies were detected in only 1/506 human sera, but the single positive sample was negative by IFA. The majority (75/114; 66%) of dogs surveyed had antibodies to the E. canis TRP19 peptide by ELISA, and eight randomly selected sera were further confirmed by E. canis IFA. Genomic DNA samples obtained from 73 E. canis TRP19 ELISA-positive dog blood samples were examined by PCR targeting the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene. Ehrlichia canis 16S rRNA was amplified in 30 (41%) of the dogs, and 16 amplicons were selected for DNA sequencing, which confirmed that all were E. canis. A second PCR was performed on the 16 confirmed E. canis 16S rRNA PCR-positive samples to determine the TRP36 genotype by amplifying the trp36 gene. TRP36 PCR amplicon sequencing identified nine dogs infected with the U.S. E. canis TRP36 genotype (56%), one dog with the Brazilian genotype (6%), and six dogs with the Costa Rican genotype (38%). Moreover, these molecular genotype signatures were consistent with serologic analysis using TRP36 genotype-specific peptides. Notably, there was no serologic evidence of E. canis infection in humans, suggesting that E. canis infection in dogs in Cauca is not associated with zoonotic human infection.

Hematological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of Hepatozoon canis infection by parasitological detection in dogs from the rural area of Sousa, Paraíba, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Hepatozoonosis is caused by protozoa of the genus Hepatozoon. In dogs, the infection is caused mainly by Hepatozoon canis, and there are a few descriptions of the prevalence of this infection in the Northeast region of Brazil, especially in the semi-arid region. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon canis infection in dogs in the rural area of Sousa, Paraíba, Brazil, as well as to determine the possible clinical and epidemiological aspects of this infection. Ninety-eight dogs in the rural zone of the municipality of Sousa that were at least 4 months old were evaluated, regardless of their breed or gender. Clinical examinations were carried out, and samples of systemic and peripheral blood were collected to determine the presence of the parasite in blood smears and carry out hemograms. In addition, epidemiological questionnaires about animal health and food management were completed. The prevalence of H. canis infections in dogs was 8.1% (8/98). There were three main changes in the hematological status: thrombocytopenia, anemia and hyperproteinemia, mainly related to percentage of leukocyte infection ≥5%, and also to the presence of clinical signs such as mucopurulent secretion, lymphadenomegaly, dry skin, pale mucous membranes, and lean or cachectic body score.

Brucella canis infection in dogs – A neglected zoonosis

Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide that leads to serious economic loss and public health issues. Among infections due to various Brucella species, presently the most neglected zoonoses worldwide is the infection caused by Brucella canis organism. It serves as one of the major causes of reproductive failures and related diseases in canines, and has the potential to infect humans. In addition, infection due to B. canis is a crucial public health concern issue due to increasing interaction of the humans with dogs. In dogs, the disease is manifested with both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. In humans, it is associated with febrile condition with usually non-specific symptoms. Moreover, lack of proper diagnostic facilities and misconceptions regarding its prevalence, often renders the disease underdiagnosed. The treatment of infection takes into account the relapse frequency of the disease and is employed in only selective cases. At present, no vaccine is available commercially for the prophylaxis of the B. canis infection, so it is the need of the hour to develop improved diagnostic methods as well as vaccines to combat the disease and associated zoonotic risk.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Brucellosis in Dogs in Enugu and Anambra States, Nigeria

Seroprevalence of the antibodies of Brucella canis and Brucella abortus in dogs was assessed using a cross-sectional survey in Anambra and Enugu States, Nigeria. A total of 123 Companion dogs made up of 65 clinic dogs, 34 slaughter dogs and 24 household dogs were screened. For B. abortus antibody assay, the collected serum was used for Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), Serum agglutination test (SAT) and Solid Phase Immunoassay technique with Immunocomb® Canine Brucellosis Antibody Test Kit was used. Out of the 123 dogs screened, none was positive for Brucella abortus antibodies while 34 (27.7%) of the dogs screened were positive for B. canis antibodies. There was a significant association (P0.05) between infection and sex, the infection was significantly higher (P0.05) in female than male dogs. Prevalence was significantly higher (P0.05) in Exotic breeds than in mixed and local dog breeds. There was no association (P0.05) between infection and antibody titre levels in the different categories of dogs. However, there was significant association (P0.05) between the presence of Brucella canis antibodies and free roaming of dogs. This study provides the first serological evidence of B. canis infection in dogs in Enugu and Anambra States. This shows that B. canis is endemic in both states, underscoring the need for further studies. Female dogs, exotic breeds and freely roaming dogs are at a higher risk of Brucella infection in the study area; therefore, preventive and control measures are strongly recommended