No abstract

Infections due to Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Dirofilaria, Mycoplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon continue to be highly prevalent in dogs, especially in tropical and subtropical areas, where vectors of many of them are present. However, many clinical aspects of dogs have not been characterized in detail, including assessing the haematological alterations associated with them, particularly in Colombia and Latin America. A group of 100 dogs with Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Dirofilaria, Mycoplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon infections/exposure were assessed by blood smear serology (SNAP4DX) and PCR in Pereira, Colombia. We performed blood counts to evaluate anaemia, leukopenia/leukocytosis, neutropenia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia/lymphocytosis, monocytosis, eosinophilia, and thrombocytopenia, among other alterations. Bivariate analyses were performed on Stata®14, with significant p < 0.05. From the total, 85% presented ≥1 infection (past or present), 66% with coinfections (≥2 pathogens) (Ehrlichia 75%), and 89% presented clinical alterations. A total of 100% showed anaemia, 70% thrombocytopenia, 61% monocytosis, and 47% neutropenia, among other alterations. Additionally, 11% presented pancytopenia and 59% bicytopenia. The median platelet count was lower in infected dogs (126,000 cells/μL) versus non-infected (221,000 cells/μL) (p = 0.003). Thrombocytopenia was higher among infected dogs (75%) versus non-infected (40%) (p = 0.006), with a 91% positive predictive value for infection. Median neutrophil count was lower in infected dogs (6591 cells/μL) versus non-infected (8804 cells/μL) (p = 0.013). Lymphocytosis occurred only among those infected (27%) (p = 0.022). Leukopenia was only observed among infected dogs (13%). Pancytopenia was only observed among infected dogs. Ehrlichiosis and other hematic infections have led to a significant burden of haematological alterations on infected dogs, including pancytopenia in a tenth of them, most with thrombocytopenia and all anemic.

Background Tick-borne diseases (TBD) and dirofilariasis are currently not under surveillance in most Latin American countries, and there is a significant lack of studies describing the current situation in most endemic areas, including Colombia. Seroprevalence studies are crucial for understanding the epidemiology of these vector-borne diseases. Methods A serosurvey for TBD and dirofilariasis amongst 100 dogs was carried out in the municipality of Pereira, located in the Coffee-Triangle region, Colombia. Samples were tested using a rapid assay test system (SNAP® 4Dx®); based on an enzyme immunoassay technique‚ screening for antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys (sensitivity 99.1%)‚ Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (98.8%), and Ehrlichia canis/ewingii (96.2%) by using specific antigens, and checking for Dirofilaria immitis antigen based on specific antibodies (99.2%). Bivariate analyses were performed on Stata®14, significant p < 0.05. Results Global seroprevalence to the selected vector-borne pathogens was 74% (95%CI 65–83%). The highest seroprevalence was found for Ehrlichia canis/ewingii (74%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys (16%). Seropositivity for Borrelia spp. and Dirofilaria spp. was 0%. All Anaplasma spp. seropositive dogs showed co-detection of Ehrlichia spp. (16%). Seroprevalence was significantly higher among dogs from families of lower socioeconomic status / level (I, 86%), followed by level II (74%), and III (36%) (p = 0.001); no seropositive dogs were found in for levels IV and V (higher socioeconomic status). All dogs exhibiting anorexia (12%) were invariably seropositive (100%) (p = 0.029). Seroprevalence was higher amongst those showing mucocutaneous paleness (95%) compared to those without paleness (68%) (p = 0.013) (OR = 9.3; 95%CI 1.18–72.9). There was high variability in seroprevalence through the studied areas, ranging from 0% (La Libertad Park) up to Combia, Cesar Nader, Las Brisas and Saturno localities (100%) (p = 0.033). Conclusions Given the high seroprevalence obtained in an area with documented presence of ticks, there is a potential risk for zoonotic transmission to humans. Further seroprevalence studies in humans are needed to assess the prevalence of infections. Poverty is highly associated with these tick-borne pathogens in Pereira, as shown in the present study.

Background: Tick-borne diseases (TBD) and dirofilariasis are currently not under surveillance in most Latin American countries, and there is a significant lack of studies describing the current situation in most endemic areas, including Colombia. Seroprevalence studies are crucial for understanding the epidemiology of these vector-borne diseases.Methods: A serosurvey for TBD and dirofilariasis amongst 100 dogs was carried out in the municipality of Pereira, located in the Coffee-Triangle region, Colombia. Samples were tested using a rapid assay test system (SNAP® 4Dx®); based on an enzyme immunoassay technique‚ screening for antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys (sensitivity 99.1%)‚ Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (98.8%), and Ehrlichia canis/ewingii (96.2%) by using specific antigens, and checking for Dirofilaria immitis antigen based on specific antibodies (99.2%). Bivariate analyses were performed on Stata®14, significant p<0.05. Results: Global seroprevalence to the selected vector-borne pathogens was 74% (95%CI 65-83%). The highest seroprevalence was found for Ehrlichia canis/ewingii (74%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys (16%). Seropositivity for Borrelia spp. and Dirofilaria spp. was 0%. All Anaplasma spp. seropositive dogs showed co-detection of Ehrlichia spp. (16%). Seroprevalence was significantly higher among dogs from families of lower socioeconomic status / level (I, 86%), followed by level II (74%), and III (36%) (p=0.001); no seropositive dogs were found in for levels IV and V (higher socioeconomic status). All dogs exhibiting anorexia (12%) were invariably seropositive (100%) (p=0.029). Seroprevalence was higher amongst those showing mucocutaneous paleness (95%) compared to those without paleness (68%) (p=0.013) (OR=9.3; 95%CI 1.18-72.9). There was high variability in seroprevalence through the studied areas, ranging from 0% (La Libertad Park) up to Combia, Cesar Nader, Las Brisas and Saturno localities (100%) (p=0.033). Conclusions: Given the high seroprevalence obtained in an area with documented presence of ticks, there is a potential risk for zoonotic transmission to humans. Further seroprevalence studies in humans are needed to assess the prevalence of infections. Poverty is highly associated with these tick-borne pathogens in Pereira, as shown in the present study.