Exposure to vector-borne pathogens in candidate blood donor and free-roaming dogs of northeast Italy

Vascellari, Marta; Ravagnan, Silvia; Carminato, Antonio; Cazzin, Stefania; Carli, Erika; Rold, Graziana Da; Lucchese, Laura; Natale, Alda; Otranto, Domenico; Capelli, Gioia

doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1639-6

Cited by 41 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…In conclusion, it is here shown that regular investigations should be encouraged in areas where data on parasite occurrence is still limited, and that prompt diagnosis and infection control are a prority. This is especially relevant for Mediterranean countries where epizootiological and biological conditions favour the occurrence and circulation of several parasitoses and VBDs in animal populations due to good and animal trade, dog adoptions and holiday trips of people [36, 43, 61–63]. As visitors and tourists often bring their pets during holidays, introduction of parasites from endemic to free areas can occur.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Diakou

Cesare

Morelli

et al. 2018

Preprint

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29The present study investigated the presence of endo-and ecto-parasites, and vector-borne pathogens, 30 in dogs from four islands of Greece. A total of 200 owned and sheltered dogs were examined with 31 different microscopic, serological and molecular methods. 32Of the examined dogs, 130 (65%) were positive for one or more parasites and/or vector-borne 33 pathogens. The most common zoonotic intestinal helminths recorded were Ancylostomatidae 34 (12.5%) and Toxocara canis (3.5%). Ninety-three dogs (46.5%) seroreacted to Rickettsia conorii. 35 Twenty-two (11%) of them were also PCR positive and 7 (3.5%) showed corpuscoles suggestive of 36 Rickettsia spp. on the blood smears. Nineteen dogs (9.5%) were seropositive for Ehrlichia canis, three 37 of them being also PCR positive. Dogs positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-Anaplasma platys 38 (1%), Dirofilaria immitis (0.5%) and Babesia canis (0.5%) were also found. Fleas and ticks were 39 recorded in 53 (26.5%) and 50 (25%) dogs and all specimens were identified as Ctenocephalides felis 40 felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu latu. Binary multiple univariate Generalized Linear Models 41 were used to investigate factors and clinical signs related to the recorded positivity, while the 42 association of specific signs with the pathogens was evaluated using tests of independence. 43 Knowledge of occurrence and impact of zoonotic parasites and vector-borne pathogens in dog 44 populations is crucial to prevent the infection in animals and people, and to control the risk of 45 spreading of these pathogens in endemic and non-endemic areas. 46 47 Author summary 48 Both owned and sheltered dogs can harbor a variety of intestinal and extra-intestinal endoparasites, 49as well as vector-borne pathogens and ectoparasites, of zoonotic concern. Dog shelters and stray dogs 50 are present in several touristic areas of Greece, including Sporades and Cyclades islands, where 51 tourists often bring their pets with them, likely travelling from non-endemic to endemic areas. The 52 present study has been carried out with the aim to evaluate the occurrence of the aforementioned 53 pathogens. Data obtained showed that they are present in canine populations of Greece, with 54 possibilities of infection for travelling dogs, which can also contribute to the spreading of zoonotic 55 vector-borne diseases, introducing new pathogens in previously non-endemic areas. For these 56 reasons, a constant monitoring of the epidemiological situation, improving control measures and 57 correct diagnostic approaches are of primary importance for the prevention of canine and human 58 infections, decreasing the spreading of potentially deadly pathogens. 59 60 61 62 65circulation of zoonotic infections are difficult to control. Because of a lifestyle that implies a low-66 grade of sanitary management, stray and free-roaming dogs are at high risk of becoming infected with 67 a wide range of pathogens. Consequently, they act as a permanent source of infection for vectors, 68 other animals an...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Diakou

Cesare

Morelli

et al. 2018

Preprint

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“…Ticks are important vectors for diseases and their global distribution contributes to the increase of emerging and re-emerging tick-borne diseases world-wide (Jongejan and Uilenberg 2004, Cutler 2010, Guglielmone et al 2013, de la Fuente et al 2017. The prevalence of vector-borne diseases in a population closely reflects the distribution and density of vectors (Aktas et al 2015, Vascellari et al 2016.…”

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confidence: 99%

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from dogs and dromedary camels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: low prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs detected using multiplexed tandem PCR panel

Chandra¹,

Smith²,

Alanazi³

et al. 2019

FOLIA PARASIT

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Despite the global distribution of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato (s.l.), limited information exists about their identity from the Arabian Peninsula. Ticks from free roaming urban dogs and dromedary camels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were morphologically identified, confirmed with scanning electron microscopy and characterised at mitochondrial DNA (cox1, 12S rDNA and 16S rDNA). A total of 186 ticks were collected from 65 free roaming dogs (n = 73) and 84 dromedary camels (n = 113). Morphologically, 5.9% (11/186) were R. sanguineus s.l. and Hyalomma spp. (93.5%, 174/186). From within R. sanguineus s.l., the presence of Rhipicephalus cf. camicasi Morel, Mouchet et Rodhain, 1976 (1 dog, 2 camels) and Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantsev, 1936 (1 camel) is reported. The examined R. cf. camicasi form a sister group to R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage at all DNA markers. Dogs were parasitised by Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 (n = 59), Hyalomma impeltatum Schulze et Schlottke, 1930 (n = 1), Hyalomma excavatum Koch, 1844 (n = 2), Hyalomma turanicum Pomerantsev, 1946 (n = 1) and Hyalomma rufipes Koch,1844 (n = 1). DNA from dog blood (n = 53) from Riyadh confirmed a low prevalence of canine vector-borne pathogens that does not exceed 5.7% for Babesia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasma platys, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis using multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and diagnostic PCR. Low prevalence of R. sanguineus s.l. on dogs likely contributed to the low level of canine vector-borne pathogens in Saudi Arabia. We demonstrate that dogs in the central Arabian Peninsula are more commonly parasitised by Hyalomma spp. than R. sanguineus s.l.

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“…[45]. Previous studies report A. phagocytophilum in ticks of domestic dogs and wild carnivores from Italy, with a prevalence ranging from 0% to 16.6% [22,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]. A. platys and E. canis were reported in tick pools from both northern and southern provinces (p>0.05), in contrast with previous reports of higher seroprevalence levels in dogs from southern Italy [54,55] and Sardinia [56].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Tick-borne pathogens in Ixodidae ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy: a country-wide molecular survey

Zanet

Battisti

Pepe

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasingly recognized as a cause of disease in dogs worldwide. The epidemiology of ticks and tick-transmitted protozoa and bacteria has changed due to the spread of ticks to urban and peri-urban areas and the movement of infected animals, posing new risks for animals and humans. This countrywide study reports information on distribution and prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy. We analyzed 2681 Ixodidae ticks, collected from 1454 pet dogs from Italy. Specific PCR protocols were used to detect i) Piroplasms of the genera Babesia and Theileria , ii) Gram-negative cocci of the family Anaplasmataceae and iii) Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Sequencing of positive amplicons allowed for species identification. Results Babesia / Theileria spp. DNA was detected in 435 homogeneous tick-pools (Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) = 27.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 25.4-29.8%) with higher prevalence in Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguneus group. The zoonotic B. venatorum was the most prevalent species (MIR = 7.5%; 95% CI = 6.3-9.0%). Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species were detected in 165 tick-pools (MIR = 10.5%; 95% CI = 9.3-11.8%) and specifically, A. phagocytophilum was identified with MIR = 5.1% (95% CI = 4.1-6.3%). Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and B. afzelii were detected with MIR = 0.4% (95% CI = 0.2-0.8%) and MIR = 0.3% (95% CI 0.1-0.7%) respectively. Conclusions Zoonotic pathogens B. venatorum and A. phagocytophilum were the most frequently detected in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs which might be used as markers of pathogens presence and distribution.

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Exposure to vector-borne pathogens in candidate blood donor and free-roaming dogs of northeast Italy

Cited by 41 publications

References 60 publications

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from dogs and dromedary camels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: low prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs detected using multiplexed tandem PCR panel

Tick-borne pathogens in Ixodidae ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy: a country-wide molecular survey

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