Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks and fleas collected from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia

Abstract

Background: Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia. Methods: A total of 392 ticks and 248 fleas were collected from 401 infested animals (i.e. 271 dogs and 130 cats) from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, and molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Ticks were tested for Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. while fleas were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. Result: Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (5.4%), followed by Ehrlichia canis (1.8%), Babesia vogeli (1%), Anaplasma platys (0.8%) and Rickettsia spp. (1%) [including Rickettsia sp. (0.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (0.3%) and Rickettsia felis (0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen with R. felis being the most common (19.4%), followed by Bartonella spp. (16.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (10.9%) and "Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis" (0.4%). Furthermore, 35 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage (Rh. sanguineus (sensu stricto)).

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Stray Dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Ticks from Bangkok, Thailand

“…or Mycoplasma spp. [22,30]. Interestingly, both infections were common in the stray dog population (18.1% and 34.2%, respectively) and tick samples (9.4% and 18.8%, respectively) collected in the present study.…”

Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in infected dogs associated with Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick infestation in Thailand

“…Hence, these infected ticks act as a potential vector that can transmit the pathogens to their present host or another dog population. Tick-borne protozoal and bacterial hemoparasites of veterinary importance in ticks also have been reported in Thailand [ 38 , 40 - 41 ]. Therefore, detection of pathogens in tick vectors is essential to demonstrate the potential for disease in particular endemic areas.…”

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Egypt

“…These pathogens are circulated in animal and human communities by arthropod vectors including ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and phlebotominae sand flies [ 4 , 5 ]. Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) of viral, bacterial and protozoal origin are often widespread in tropical and subtropical regions [ 6 ], including in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), because of the favourable climatic conditions for the perpetuation of arthropod vectors and development of canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs) [ 7 ]. Among CVBPs, tick-borne Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp.…”