• Fernández-Cebrián, Blanca
• Sarquis, Juliana
• Estévez-Sánchez, Efrén
• López-Suárez, Pedro
• Cano, Lourdes
• Barrera, Juan Pedro
• Montoya, Ana
• Peteiro, Laura
• Checa, Rocio
• Morena, María De La
• Pérez-Hernando, Belén
• Miró, Guadalupe

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Despite the high global impacts of canine vector-borne diseases (CVBD) due to their wide distribution and zoonotic potential, the current epidemiological situation of CVBD in many tropical and subtropical regions remains unknown. This study examines the seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of <jats:italic>Ehrlichia canis</jats:italic> and other pathogens causing CVBDs (<jats:italic>Leishmania infantum</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Dirofilaria immitis, Babesia</jats:italic> spp., <jats:italic>Anaplasma</jats:italic> spp. and <jats:italic>Hepatozoon canis</jats:italic>) in dogs living on the island of Boa Vista (Cape Verde Republic). Blood samples and infesting ticks were taken from 150 dogs across the island (stray, shelter, and pet dogs). Serum samples were tested using a rapid immunochromatographic test (Uranotest<jats:sup>®</jats:sup> Quattro) that detects antibodies against <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>L. infantum</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>Anaplasma</jats:italic> spp. and <jats:italic>D. immitis</jats:italic> antigen. Levels of serum antibodies against <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic> were measured using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). In addition, tick-borne pathogens in blood samples (<jats:italic>Anaplasma</jats:italic> spp., <jats:italic>Babesia</jats:italic> spp., <jats:italic>Hepatozoon</jats:italic> spp., and <jats:italic>Ehrlichia canis</jats:italic>) were detected by microscopy observation and/or PCR plus sequencing. The seroprevalence of <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic> was extremely high at 82% (123/150), as revealed by both immunochromatography and IFAT. Most dogs returning a seropositive test result (82.92%; 102/123) had antibody titres &gt; 1:1280 but showed no clinical signs or notable laboratory abnormalities. Of the 123 animals testing seropositive for <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic>, 67 (54.47%) also presented antibodies against <jats:italic>Anaplasma</jats:italic> spp<jats:italic>.,</jats:italic> and 13 (10.56%) showed the presence of <jats:italic>Hepatozoon</jats:italic> spp. gamonts in the blood smear. <jats:italic>Ehrlichia canis</jats:italic> infection was detected in 17.1% (25/146) of dogs tested by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Co-infections were detected in seven of these dogs: four dogs tested PCR-positive for both <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>A. platys</jats:italic>, two dogs tested positive for <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Hepatozoon</jats:italic> spp., and one dog tested positive for <jats:italic>E. canis</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>A. platys</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Hepatozoon</jats:italic> spp. <jats:italic>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</jats:italic> sensu lato was the only tick species found infesting the canine study population. The high prevalence of tick-borne pathogens detected in dogs from Boa Vista Island highlights a need for improved control measures designed to prevent the transmission of these pathogens.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Graphical Abstract</jats:bold></jats:p>

Topics

• microscopy