First report of Anaplasma platys infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and molecular detection of Ehrlichia canis and Leishmania infantum in foxes from Portugal

Abstract

BackgroundThe bacteria Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis and the protozoan Leishmania infantum are vector-borne agents that cause canine vector-borne diseases, some of which are zoonotic. The present survey investigated the prevalence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Leishmania in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Portugal by molecular analysis, in order to evaluate the epidemiological role of these canids as reservoirs of infection.MethodsBlood and/or bone marrow samples were collected from 78 red foxes obtained in eight districts of northern, central and southern Portugal. Real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR) amplified a 123 bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and a 265 bp fragment of the L. infantum internal transcribed spacer one (ITS1) region of the rRNA operon evaluated by PCR-high resolution melt analysis (PCR-HRM), with sequencing of the DNA products. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to compare these to other sequences from Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. deposited in GenBank®.ResultsA. platys was detected in 10 (14.5%) and E. canis in two (2.9%) out of 69 foxes; and L. infantum was detected in one (1.3%) of the 78 foxes. The prevalence of A. platys was significantly different from the prevalence of E. canis (p=0.016) and from that of L. infantum (p=0.002). No co-infections were found in any one of the 78 foxes. No statistically significant differences were found between the type of sample (blood and bone marrow), geographic regions (north/centre and south), age (<2 years and ≥2 years) and gender for any one of the agents.ConclusionsThis is the first known report of A. platys in red foxes worldwide, as well as the first molecular evidence of E. canis in foxes from Portugal. The moderate prevalence of A. platys suggests that red foxes may play a role in the epidemiology of infection with this bacterium and serve as a reservoir for domestic dogs.

Molecular detection of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa in cervids and wild boars from Portugal

“…Anaplasma platys causes canine cyclic thrombocytopenia and is presumably transmitted by ticks of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group. As A. platys DNA has previously been reported in dogs [ 26 ], ticks [ 35 ] and red foxes [ 36 ] from Portugal, its detection in the red deer and wild boars sampled herein indicates that these animals are also exposed to the bacterium. However, the ability of A. platys to cause disease in these animals has not been established yet.…”

Canine Babesiosis: Where Do We Stand?

“…The highest seroprevalence was obtained by Casini et al [49] in the central regions of Italy, with the prevalence of 52-57%. The highest recorded seroprevalence is probably overestimated, considering that titers were generally low and cross-reaction is commonly reported for immunofl uorescent antibody testing [50]. It is also important to point out that the positive serological results presented in these studies might be because of either current infection or previous contact/exposure to Babesia.…”

“…It is also important to point out that the positive serological results presented in these studies might be because of either current infection or previous contact/exposure to Babesia. That is the reason why serological screenings should be complemented with molecular-based detection methods to test if infections are active or not [50].…”

Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens and molecular detection of Borrelia afzelii in military dogs from Portugal

“…In fact, co-infection is a frequent condition in dogs, since several arthropods are competent vectors of more than one pathogen and may share the same environment. This is the case of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus ( sensu lato ), known for its worldwide distribution, which serves as confirmed vector for E. canis and R. conorii, and as presumed vector for A. platys [ 19 ].…”