BartonellaSeroepidemiology in Dogs from North America, 2008–2014

Abstract

BackgroundImproved understanding of Bartonella species seroepidemiology in dogs may aid clinical decision making and enhance current understanding of naturally occurring arthropod vector transmission of this pathogen.ObjectivesTo identify demographic groups in which Bartonella exposure may be more likely, describe spatiotemporal variations in Bartonella seroreactivity, and examine co‐exposures to other canine vector‐borne diseases (CVBD).AnimalsA total of 15,451 serology specimens from dogs in North America were submitted to the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2014.Methods Bartonella henselae, Bartonella koehlerae, and Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) serology results, as well as results from a commercial assay kit screening for Dirofilaria immitis antigen and Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies, and Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, and Rickettsia species IFA results were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsOverall, 3.26% of dogs were Bartonella spp. seroreactive; B. henselae (2.13%) and B. koehlerae (2.39%) were detected more frequently than B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii (1.42%, P < 0.0001). Intact males had higher seroreactivity (5.04%) than neutered males (2.87%, P < 0.0001) or intact or spayed females (3.22%, P = 0.0003). Mixed breed dogs had higher seroreactivity (4.45%) than purebred dogs (3.02%, P = 0.0002). There was no trend in seasonal seroreactivity; geographic patterns supported broad distribution of exposure, and co‐exposure with other CVBD was common.Conclusions and Clinical Importance Bartonella spp. exposure was documented throughout North America and at any time of year. Male intact dogs, mixed breed dogs, and dogs exposed to other CVBD have higher seroreactivity to multiple Bartonella species.

Prevalence of Babesia spp. and clinical characteristics of Babesia vulpes infections in North American dogs

“…Complete clinical data were not available for all dogs including physical examination findings, response to treatment, duration of clinicopathologic abnormalities, or long‐term survival rates. In addition, the data were limited to samples submitted to the NCSU VBDDL, which may have created a selection bias toward dogs exhibiting clinicopathologic abnormalities found in association with CVBD and a geographic bias toward the Eastern Atlantic United States, because most samples were submitted from this region . Regardless of the limitations of our study, B. vulpes infects dogs in the United States and causes disease manifestations that are similar to those of other Babesia spp.…”

Bartonella spp. Prevalence (Serology, Culture, and PCR) in Sanitary Workers in La Rioja Spain

“…In context of One Health, Bartonella spp. IFA has a high degree of specificity (97% or greater depending upon IFA antigen) when testing dogs [26][27][28]. Sera from dogs with very high IFA titers (8192) following experimental infection with Rickettsia rickettsii do not induce fluorescence (cross reactivity) to Bartonella spp.…”

Evaluation of cell culture‐grownBartonellaantigens in immunofluorescent antibody assays for the serological diagnosis of bartonellosis in dogs

“…Also, cross‐reactivity among Bh, Bvb, and Bk antigens did not occur in 2 dogs infected with each of these 3 Bartonella spp . Canine vector‐borne disease (CVBD) serology results (15 451 diagnostic submissions) generated between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014 at the NCSU‐CVM‐VBDDL recently were retrospectively reviewed . Bh (2.13%), Bk (2.39%), and Bvb I (1.42%, P < 0.0001) seroreactivities among dogs tested because of suspicion of a vector‐borne disease were low, further supporting the specificity of Bartonella spp.…”

“…Interestingly, 3 Group II dogs were only Bq, Bvb II, or Bvb III seroreactive, respectively. If Bq, Bvb II, or Bvb III seroreactivity reflects exposure solely to Bq, Bvb II, or Bvb III , rather than nonspecific IFA immunofluorescence, our historical antigen panel has most likely underestimated Bartonella seroprevalence in dogs . The remaining PCR‐negative/IFA‐negative dog was seroreactive to Bvb II and III, Bh H1, and Bh SA2.…”