A serological study of exposure to arthropod-borne pathogens in dogs from northeastern Spain

Abstract

-There is limited information regarding the prevalence of many vector borne pathogens in Europe and especially in Spanish dogs. We investigated 206 sick and 260 clinically healthy dogs from three different regions in northeastern Spain for antibodies to Rickettsia conorii (Rc), Ehrlichia canis (Ec), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap), Bartonella henselae (Bh), Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii (Bvb), Leishmania infantum (Li) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and for antigen of Dirofilaria immitis (Di). Total prevalences were the following: Rc (56.4%), Li (30%), Ec (16.7%), Bh (16.8%), Ap (11.5%), Bvb (1.07%), Di (0.6%) and Bb (0.6%). Seroprevalences for Rc, Ec, Ap, Bh, and Bvb and Bb and Di antigens were similar among the three different study sites. The Ec seroprevalence, as determined by Snap 3DX, was statistically lower in dogs from Mallorca (0%) than Tarragona (16%) and Barcelona (5%) (P < 0.0001). Detection of Rc antibodies was associated with seroreactivity to Ec and Ap antigens (P = 0.018 and P = 0.002, respectively). IFA Ec antibodies were associated with Ap seroreactivity (P < 0.0001). There was no association between the clinical status, sex, time of the year when samples were collected, life-style or exposure to fleas or ticks and a positive test result for Ec, Bh, Bvb, or Bb antibodies or Di antigens. Li seroreactivity was associated with illness and living outdoors (P < 0.0001, P = 0.029; respectively), Rc seroreactivity with the male gender (P = 0.028) and Ap seroreactivity with living outdoors (P = 0.045). This study indicates that exposure to Rc, Li, Ec or related Ehrlichia spp., Bh and Ap or a related spp., is common whereas Di, Bb and Bvb is uncommon among dogs from the Mediterranean basin. We also provide serological data that suggests the existence of a novel Ehrlichia species on Mallorca island. rickettsial pathogens / dogs / Spain

Seroprevalence of Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii in Urban and Rural Dogs in Turkey

“…berkhoffii. In similar studies, higher seroprevalences were reported in Sudan (65%), Morocco and Thailand (38%), similar percentages were reported in Israel (10%) and lower seroprevalences were reported in the U.S.A. (2%) and Spain (1.1%) [1,11,12,22,23]. Low level bacteremia but high seroprevalence to B. vinsonii subsp.…”

Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi in Dogs in Iğdır Province, Turkey

“…Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi in Dogs in Iğdır Province, Turkey [1] Barış SARI 1  Gencay Taşkın TAŞÇI Dirofilariosis, ehrlichiosis and lyme borreliosis are arthropod-borne diseases that are seen in domestic dogs as in many species of animals. Dogs infected with these diseases; can be diagnosed as characteristic symptoms, are shown non-spesific clinical appearance or even asymptomatic.…”

Canine bartonellosis: serological and molecular prevalence in Brazil and evidence of co-infection withBartonella henselaeandBartonella vinsoniisubsp.berkhoffii

“…Endpoint titers were determined as the last dilution at which brightly stained bacteria could be detected on a fluorescence microscope. Exposure to Leishmania chagasi and Rickettsia rickettsii was evaluated by IFA as described [42,45]. The cut-off dilution for seroreactivity was defined at 1:64 for R. rickettsii, and 1:80 for L. chagasi.…”