Current Surveys of the Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs in Bulgaria

Abstract

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) have increasingly become a focus of interest in recent years. Some of the CVBDs are zoonotic and may therefore also represent a risk for the human population. Different factors are in discussion to explain the expansion of vectors and pathogens into formerly unaffected areas. Knowledge of the prevalence and distribution of CVBDs in Bulgaria is scant overall and most data rely on single case descriptions. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of important CVBDs in 167 dogs from central-southern Bulgaria (Stara Zagora), with special emphasis on hitherto uninvestigated babesiosis and angiostrongylosis, on poorly investigated Lyme borreliosis and canine granulocytic anaplasmosis, and on the potentially zoonotic dirofilariosis and leishmaniosis. Relatively high prevalence rates were documented for anti-Babesia canis antibodies, Dirofilaria immitis antigen (16.2 %; 27/167 each), anti-Ehrlichia canis (21 %; 35/167) and anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibodies (30.5 -46.1 %; 51 -77/167), while Borrelia burgdorferi seroprevalence was low (2.4 %; 4/167). All samples were negative for Leishmania infantum antibodies and Angiostrongylus vasorum antigen and antibodies. In total, 64.7 % (108/167) of the samples indicated infection or exposure to at least one agent and a high proportion of dual infections (39.8 %; 43/108) was demonstrated. Multiple infections with up to four different organisms were also detected. Our data underline the importance of CVBDs and especially of co-infections which could influence the clinical outcome in dogs. (2015) 114 :S11 -S1 DOI 10.1007/s00436-015-4518-8 EcToPaR aSITES AbstractCanine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) have increasingly become a focus of interest in recent years. Some of the CVBDs are zoonotic and may therefore also represent a risk for the human population. Different factors are in discussion to explain the expansion of vectors and pathogens into formerly unaffected areas. Knowledge of the prevalence and distribution of CVBDs in Bulgaria is scant overall and most data rely on single case descriptions.

Comparison of a Rapid Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay Test With an Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test in Diagnosing Ehrlichia and Anaplasma Infections in Dogs

“…Results indicate that the tested animals were predominantly infected with Ehrlichia pathogens. In that respect, our results differ from those presented by Pantchev et al, (16). Their team performed tests on 167 dog samples (where dogs exhibited no indication of vector-transferable rickettsiosis) and determined 77 samples positive for A. phagocytophilum, and 35 positive for E. canis.…”

“…In Bulgaria, the infection with E. canis in dogs was first encountered in 2006, and with A. phagocytophilum in 2008 (13,14), respectively. In the years to follow, numerous studies were submitted that gave evidence to the wide spread of these pathogens in Bulgaria (15,16). Since then, the diagnostic in the small animal clinics has been relying mostly on rapid ELISA tests or on immunochromatographic assays that aim to quickly detect antibodies to these agents.…”

Retrospective Analysis of Canine Vector-borne Diseases (CVBD) in Germany with Emphasis on the Endemicity and Risk Factors of Leishmaniosis

“…As a modification with regard to kit contents, another FITC-conjugated secondary antibody was used at a dilution of 1:1000 (Fluorescein-labeled affinity purified antibody to dog IgG produced in goat from Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories), with Evans Blue (2.5 ml, Bio-Rad) as counter stain and Biognost ® mounting medium (Bios) to cover the wells prior to microscopy. The presence of IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum had been tested in 794 samples by a commercial indirect IFAT (MegaScreen FLUOAN-APLASMA phagocytophilum, Diagnostik MegaCor GmbH, Hörbranz, Austria) according to Pantchev et al (2015b Wolf et al (2014). The test cutoff was set at dilutions of >= 1:50.…”

Granulocytic anaplasmosis in 63 dogs: clinical signs, laboratory results, therapy and course of disease

“…) and Eastern Europe up to 46·1% (Pantchev et al . ). A. phagocytophilum primarily reproduces in neutrophils in its mammalian hosts, although it can occasionally also be found in eosinophilic granulocytes (Woldehiwet ).…”