Simultaneous Exposure to Angiostrongylus vasorum and Vector-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from Italy

Abstract

Several drivers have recently fostered the expansion of Angiostrongylus vasorum throughout Europe, where Vector-Borne Pathogens (VBPs) are also spreading. However, the level of simultaneous risk of infection is still unknown in canine populations. This study evaluated the simultaneous exposure to A. vasorum and major canine VBPs in dogs of Italy. Sera of 294 dogs were subjected to two ELISAs, detecting A. vasorum circulating antigens and antibodies against the parasite, and to the following assays: (i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and antibodies vs. Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and (ii) IFAT for the detection of antibodies vs. Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (7.5%, CI: 4.8–11.1%) and six (2%, CI: 0.7–4.4%) dogs scored positive for circulating A. vasorum antibodies and antigens, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%, CI: 3.4–9.1%) were positive for A. vasorum antibodies + at least one VBP, three (1%, CI: 0.2–3%) for A. vasorum antigen + at least one VBP, while one dog (0.3%, CI: 0.01–1.88%) was positive for A. vasorum antigen + A. vasorum antibodies + B. canis antibodies. These results show that dogs living in different regions of Italy are at risk of simultaneous infections with both A. vasorum and VBPs. Despite the same scenario being likely in other countries of Europe, the current knowledge is scant. Therefore, further studies are warranted to amplify current epizootiological information and to understand whether control programs should be improved.

Retrospective Longitudinal Survey on Canine Vector-Borne Pathogens: Trends and Challenges of 10 Years of Activities of a Veterinary Blood Bank

“…During the study period, a prevalence rate of 0.16% was found for B. canis, evidencing a rather low pathogen circulation in the areas studied compared with the 4% serological positivity reported by other authors [34,36].…”

Identity of Microfilariae Circulating in Dogs from Western and South-Western Romania in the Last Decade

“…In Europe, infection with Dirofilaria spp. in dogs was identified in many countries including Austria [12], the Baltic countries [23], Bulgaria [24], the Czech Republic and Slovakia [25], France [26], Greece [6,27], Hungary [28], Italy [29][30][31], Serbia [32], and Spain [33], with minor differences among reports [13]. An up-to-date and accurate picture of Dirofilaria infections in central and northern European countries is provided by a study by Fuehrer et al, 2021, which states that, although the number of studies has increased in recent years, epizootiological knowledge is fragmented [34].…”

Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe

“…Unlike dogs, in which A. vasorum infection may show a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from no or minor clinical signs to life-threatening disease [ 146 ], foxes usually exhibit chronic infections with mild clinical signs that occur when concurrent infective diseases and high worm burdens are present [ 141 , 147 ]. However, fatal infections in foxes have been recently described [ 148 ].…”