Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among Healthy Dogs and Horses in Israel

Abstract

The presence of reacting antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum has previously been demonstrated in Israel, both in humans and the golden jackal (Canis aureus syriacus). This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum antibodies in two additional potential hosts, domestic dogs and horses in order to investigate the possibility of exposure to the organism in Israel. Of 195 dogs tested, 9% were seroreactive with A. phagocytophilum antigen and 30% were seroreactive to Ehrlichia canis. Twenty-nine percent of the dogs seropositive for E. canis were also reactive to A. phagocytophilum. Two dogs had immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) antibody titres for A. phagocytophilum greater than E. canis. The equine serological survey (n = 300) revealed no seroreactive horses. The results presented in this study suggest that dogs in Israel could have been accidentally exposed to A. phagocytophilum, for example by ticks carried on migrating birds, however, the possibility of cross-reaction with E. canis should also be considered. In spite of the high prevalence of ticks on horses in Israel during the summer months, no evidence for exposure to A. phagocytophilum was apparent.

Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats from Qatar

“…from Saudi Arabia [26]. Additionally, in Israel and Egypt dogs were found to have antibodies to E. canis [27–29], whereas antibodies to Anaplasma spp. have been demonstrated only by immunofluorescence antibody tests in domestic dogs [29].…”

“…Additionally, in Israel and Egypt dogs were found to have antibodies to E. canis [27–29], whereas antibodies to Anaplasma spp. have been demonstrated only by immunofluorescence antibody tests in domestic dogs [29]. Conversely, canine hepatozoonosis caused by H. canis has been reported several times from regions of the Middle East, particularly in Israel [30], Iraq [31] and Egypt [32].…”

Molecular Evidence forAnaplasma phagocytophilumin Israel

“…Although serologic evidence for the presence of A. phagocytophilum in humans ( 2 ), jackals ( 3 ), and domestic dogs ( 4 ) has been available in Israel since 1999, no direct verification has been presented to confirm its occurrence. In this study, we present molecular evidence for the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks in Israel collected from roe deer.…”

Tick-borne infections in dogs—An emerging infectious threat

“…The overall annual prevalence was estimated to range between 0.9 and 3 cases per thousand dogs with an average annual incidence of 2.1 cases per thousand dogs (Bourdeau, 2008). In Israel, 30% of the 195 dogs tested were seropositive for E. canis (Levi et al, 2006). In the USA, canine ehrlichiosis is a sporadic disease (Keefe et al, 1982); however, a high prevalence (36%) of active infection was detected recently in dogs infested by R. sanguineus in northeastern Arizona .…”

“…In the United Kingdom, infection by A. phagocytophilum also has been detected in 1 of 120 sick dogs tested using molecular methods (Shaw et al, 2005). In Israel, 9% of 195 dogs tested were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum (Levi et al, 2006).…”