Co-infection patterns of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in owned free-ranging dogs in central Chile

Abstract

We investigated the co-occurrence of the nine of the most relevant canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) using conventional and real-time PCR and evaluated risk factors and potential non-apparent haematological alterations associated with co-infection in 111 rural, owned, free-ranging dogs in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.At least one pathogen was detected in 75% of the dogs. DNA of Anaplasma platys (Ap; 36%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (CMhp; 31%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc; 28%), Trypanosoma cruzi (17%), Leishmania spp. (4.5%), and Acanthocheilonema reconditum (1%) was detected. All dogs were negative for Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Piroplasmida, and Hepatozoon spp. Thirty-eight dogs (34%) were coinfected. CMhp was involved in 71%, Mhc in 58%, and Ap in 50% of the co-infections. The most common co-infection pattern was CMhp–Mhc (37% of the cases). The prevalence of Ap was higher in juvenile than in adult dogs, whereas the opposite was found for CMhp and Mhc. Adult dogs were four times more likely of being co-infected than juveniles. Co-infected animals showed higher white blood cell count, segmented neutrophil count, and GGT levels than non-co-infected dogs. Clinically healthy but infected dogs may act as reservoirs of CVBP, and their free-ranging behavior would facilitate the spread of these pathogens to other dogs as well as human beings or wild carnivores.

Companion Vector-Borne Pathogens and Associated Risk Factors in Apparently Healthy Pet Animals (Dogs and Cats) in Khukhot City Municipality, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand

“…The current research revealed that young dogs had a higher chance of being infected with CVBPs than adult dogs, which corroborated another study of dogs in central Chile [ 32 ]. There are several potential reasons why young dogs may be more susceptible to CVBP infection compared to adult dogs.…”

Filarial nematodes in domestic dogs and mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from semi-rural areas in Central Chile

“…Regarding filarial nematodes, Alcaíno et al ( 16 ) reported a prevalence of 29.9% in dogs from the north, center, and south of Chile (excluding Región del Maule), with 99.4% of infections attributed to the genus Dipetalonema (currently Acanthocheilonema ). A recent study by Cevidanes et al ( 13 ) reported a 1% prevalence of A. reconditum in the blood of dogs from the Metropolitan Region of Chile. In contrast, our study revealed a significantly higher prevalence of 7.5% for A. reconditum .…”

“…In Chile, several studies have examined the role of dogs as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens (11)(12)(13). However, there has been limited exploration of arthropods as vectors, especially within the Diptera order.…”

Haematological Alterations Associated with Selected Vector-Borne Infections and Exposure in Dogs from Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia

“…Consequently, they can live inside red blood cells or other blood cells and cause anaemia. In the case of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infections, there are few studies in humans and limited studies in dogs [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Furthermore, in the case of Colombia and Latin America in general, but even globally, as mentioned, few studies have characterized, in detail, the profile of haematological alterations in canines with hemoparasitic infections, such as those mentioned, which would be helpful for veterinarians, especially in endemic areas.…”

“…Despite the epidemiological importance that the different infections caused by hemoparasites in canines have had during the last few decades in the world, to date, there are relatively few studies in the world literature, even more so in Colombia, that have characterized the profile of the haematological alterations observed in canines with said infections [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and variable cellular responses from leukopenia to lymphocytosis and monocytosis have been described in dogs with ehrlichiosis.…”