scholarly journals Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Diakou ◽  
Angela Di Cesare ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
Mariasole Colombo ◽  
Lenaig Halos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Of Greece

AbstractThe present study investigated the presence of endo- and ecto-parasites, and vector-borne pathogens, in dogs from four islands of Greece. A total of 200 owned and sheltered dogs were examined with different microscopic, serological and molecular methods.Of the examined dogs, 130 (65%) were positive for one or more parasites and/or vector-borne pathogens. The most common zoonotic intestinal helminths recorded were Ancylostomatidae (12.5%) and Toxocara canis (3.5%). Ninety-three dogs (46.5%) seroreacted to Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (11%) of them were also PCR positive and 7 (3.5%) showed corpuscoles suggestive of Rickettsia spp. on the blood smears. Nineteen dogs (9.5%) were seropositive for Ehrlichia canis, three of them being also PCR positive. Dogs positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-Anaplasma platys (1%), Dirofilaria immitis (0.5%) and Babesia canis (0.5%) were also found. Fleas and ticks were recorded in 53 (26.5%) and 50 (25%) dogs and all specimens were identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu latu. Binary multiple univariate Generalized Linear Models were used to investigate factors and clinical signs related to the recorded positivity, while the association of specific signs with the pathogens was evaluated using tests of independence. Knowledge of occurrence and impact of zoonotic parasites and vector-borne pathogens in dog populations is crucial to prevent the infection in animals and people, and to control the risk of spreading of these pathogens in endemic and non-endemic areas.Author summaryBoth owned and sheltered dogs can harbor a variety of intestinal and extra-intestinal endoparasites, as well as vector-borne pathogens and ectoparasites, of zoonotic concern. Dog shelters and stray dogs are present in several touristic areas of Greece, including Sporades and Cyclades islands, where tourists often bring their pets with them, likely travelling from non-endemic to endemic areas. The present study has been carried out with the aim to evaluate the occurrence of the aforementioned pathogens. Data obtained showed that they are present in canine populations of Greece, with possibilities of infection for travelling dogs, which can also contribute to the spreading of zoonotic vector-borne diseases, introducing new pathogens in previously non-endemic areas. For these reasons, a constant monitoring of the epidemiological situation, improving control measures and correct diagnostic approaches are of primary importance for the prevention of canine and human infections, decreasing the spreading of potentially deadly pathogens.

A brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) bite at sea

2015 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-191
Author(s):  
E Stachow
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Brown Dog Tick ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Dog Tick ◽  
Maritime Environment

AbstractMedical Officers (MOs) and Medical Branch Ratings (MBRs) must maintain an awareness of the risk of vector-borne diseases among deployed personnel.Personnel working in the maritime environment may not expect to be at risk of tick bites, as ticks typically occupy habitats with dense vegetation such as forests or scrub land. However, tick-borne pathogens can cause serious and sometimes fatal disease, and therefore the risk of tick bites and associated diseases should be recognised.We present a case of a tick bite in a member of a ship’s company eight days after leaving port. The tick was identified as a brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), a species known to thrive indoors. We describe several important tick-borne diseases which can be transmitted by R. sanguineus and explore best practice for tick removal and aftercare. Finally, we outline the appropriate management of suspected tick-borne disease in deployed personnel in the maritime environment.

scholarly journals New Real-Time PCRs to Differentiate Rickettsia spp. and Rickettsia conorii

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (19) ◽  
pp. 4431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Blanda ◽  
Rosalia D’Agostino ◽  
Elisabetta Giudice ◽  
Kety Randazzo ◽  
Francesco La Russa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Dna Primers

Rickettsia species are an important cause of emerging infectious diseases in people and animals, and rickettsiosis is one of the oldest known vector-borne diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of Rickettsia is complex and time-consuming. This study was aimed at developing two quantitative real-time PCRs targeting ompB and ompA genes for the detection, respectively, of Rickettsia spp. and R. conorii DNA. Primers were designed following an analysis of Rickettsia gene sequences. The assays were optimized using SYBR Green and TaqMan methods and tested for sensitivity and specificity. This study allowed the development of powerful diagnostic methods, able to detect and quantify Rickettsia spp. DNA and differentiate R. conorii species.

scholarly journals Presence of Rickettsia Species in a Marginalized Area of Yucatan, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaspar Peniche-Lara ◽  
Bertha Jimenez-Delgadillo ◽  
Claudia Munoz-Zanzi ◽  
María Cárdenas-Marrufo ◽  
Carlos Pérez-Osorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne

In the state of Yucatan, Mexico, rickettsiosis has become a common vector-borne disease in the general population. Ectoparasite species such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma mixtum have been identified as Rickettsia vectors in Yucatan by studies focused on the wild animal population in rural areas. There have been studies that have tried to determine the presence of Rickettsia species in ectoparasites collected in Yucatan, but these studies did not include marginalized areas, where living in close contact with domestic and peridomestic animals that carry ectoparasites is a high-risk factor for acquiring rickettsial infection or many other vector-borne diseases. We evaluated the vector diversity and the presence of Rickettsia species presence in the ectoparasite population that parasitizes domestic animals in a marginalized rural town of Yucatan, Mexico; we also evaluated the seroprevalence of rickettsial antibodies in the human population of this town in order to determine the prevalence of rickettsial infection. A total of 437 ectoparasites were collected from the study area. The tick specimens collected belonged to the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=380, 49 positive), Amblyomma mixtum (n=3, 0 positive), Ixodes affinis (n=4, 0 positive), Ctenocephalides felis (n=33, 0 positive), and Trichodectes canis (n=17, 0 positive). Conventional polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to identify the DNA of Rickettsia. Six out of 354 (1.8%) serum samples were positive for antibody to R. typhi. The combination of low antibody titers and the presence of Rickettsia species infecting ectoparasite species found in the study area requires eco-epidemiological studies and the identification of potentially protective practices or habits.

scholarly journals Preliminary study on the prevalence of endoparasite infections and vector-borne diseases in outdoor dogs in Bulgaria

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Iliev ◽  
Z. T. Kirkova ◽  
A. S. Tonev
Keyword(s):  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Linguatula Serrata ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Trichuris Vulpis ◽  
Toxascaris Leonina

SummaryThe present work was designed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and some vector-borne pathogens in dogs in Bulgaria. A total of 172 owned dogs, keeping outside, were included in the study. Fecal samples were examined using standard flotation and sedimentation methods. Blood samples were processed by Knott’s technique, SNAP™ 4Dx Plus Test (IDEXX) and Angio Detect™ Test (IDEXX). The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 64.5%. Eggs of hookworms (Ancylostoma sp. and Uncinaria sp.) were the most frequently detected (54.1%), followed by Trichuris vulpis (15.1%), Capillaria sp. (11.0%), Toxocara canis (6.4%), Cystoisospora sp. (4.1%), Sarcocystis sp. (2.3%), Toxascaris leonina (1.7%), Taenia sp. (1.2%) and Linguatula serrata (0.6%). In addition, hookworms were the most commonly involved in the cases of single infection (20.3%). Combinations between Capillaria sp./hookworms and T. vulpis/hookworms were the most common co-infections (4.1% and 2.9%, respectively). Blood samples revealed the presence of antibodies against Ehrlichia sp. (13.4%), Anaplasma sp. (13.4%) and Borrelia burgdorferi (1.7%). Antigens of Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum were detected in 10.5% and 0.6% of the samples tested, respectively. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria repens were found in 5.8% of the blood samples. Additionally, the prevalence of D. immitis and Ehrlichia sp. was significantly higher in adult than in young dogs (p<0.05). In contrast, the gender was not considered as a risk factor contributing to the occurrence of infections.

scholarly journals Survey of protozoan vector-borne diseases in dogs from Atlantic Rainforest fragment around Billings Dam, São Paulo, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Carvalho de Freitas e Azevedo ◽  
Giovanna Stefani Nosberto Castelli ◽  
Ryan Emiliano da Silva ◽  
Jaciara de Oliveira Jorge Costa ◽  
Renata Tonhosolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT: Vector-borne diseases are currently one of the biggest public health concerns worldwide. Dogs, being the closest companion animals to humans, are considered the main reservoir of some of these diseases in the urban environment. Therefore, the study of the disease behavior in dogs can help to understand the disease affecting human health. Serological and molecular diagnoses of Babesia vogeli, Rangelia vitalli, Leishmania infantum, and other trypanosomatids, were performed by immunochromatographic and PCR assays, respectively, on dogs in a dog shelter located in an Atlantic Forest fragment near the Billings Dam, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo-Brazil. Our molecular diagnostic results showed a high prevalence of Babesia vogeli, at 20.9% (17/81). No other protozoan was detected in any of the tests. Determining the prevalence of major vector-borne diseases is essential to establish preventive and control measures for zoonotic diseases in animals kept in shelters, in order to minimize the impact of vector-borne diseases on animal health.

Models of superinfection and acquired immunity to multiple parasite strains

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (04) ◽  
pp. 915-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. M. Milligan ◽  
D. Y. Downham
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Close Approximation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Duration Of Infection ◽  
Bivariate Poisson Distribution ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Different Strains

Individuals in communities in which different strains of pathogen are circulating can acquire resistance by accumulating immunity to each strain. After considering susceptibility, models of infection and immunity are defined for vector-borne diseases such as malaria and trypanosomiasis. For these models the prevalence of infection, the number of infections per individual, and the mean duration of infection, increase rapidly in young individuals, but decrease in older individuals as immunity is acquired to the various strains of pathogen; the mean interval between successive infections lengthens with age. The bivariate Poisson distribution is shown to be a close approximation to some stochastic processes. The models explain observed cross-sectional patterns of age prevalence, and longitudinal patterns in which individuals typically continue to become infected as they age, albeit with decreasing frequency. In these models the time spent infected depends on parasite diversity, as well as the inoculation and recovery rates. It is shown that control measures can cause an increase in the number of infections and the prevalence of infection in older individuals, and in the average prevalence in the community, even when strain-specific immunity is life-long.

scholarly journals Purification, Stability, and Immunogenicity Analyses of Five Bluetongue Virus Proteins for Use in Development of a Subunit Vaccine That Allows Differentiation of Infected from Vaccinated Animals

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Anderson ◽  
Emmanuel Bréard ◽  
Karin Lövgren Bengtsson ◽  
Kjell-Olov Grönvik ◽  
Stéphan Zientara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Subunit Vaccine ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Bluetongue Disease ◽  
Vector Borne

ABSTRACTBluetongue virus (BTV) causes bluetongue disease, a vector-borne disease of ruminants. The recent northerly spread of BTV serotype 8 in Europe resulted in outbreaks characterized by clinical signs in cattle, including unusual teratogenic effects. Vaccination has been shown to be crucial for controlling the spread of vector-borne diseases such as BTV. With the aim of developing a novel subunit vaccine targeting BTV-8 that allows differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals, five His-tagged recombinant proteins, VP2 and VP5 of BTV-8 and NS1, NS2, and NS3 of BTV-2, were expressed in baculovirus orEscherichia coliexpression systems for further study. Optimized purification protocols were determined for VP2, NS1, NS2, and NS3, which remained stable for detection for at least 560 to 610 days of storage at +4°C or −80°C, and Western blotting using sera from vaccinated or experimentally infected cattle indicated that VP2 and NS2 were recognized by BTV-specific antibodies. To characterize murine immune responses to the four proteins, mice were subcutaneously immunized twice at a 4-week interval with one of three protein combinations plus immunostimulating complex ISCOM-Matrix adjuvant or with ISCOM-Matrix alone (n= 6 per group). Significantly higher serum IgG antibody titers specific for VP2 and NS2 were detected in immunized mice than were detected in controls. VP2, NS1, and NS2 but not NS3 induced specific lymphocyte proliferative responses upon restimulation of spleen cells from immunized mice. The data suggest that these recombinant purified proteins, VP2, NS1, and NS2, could be an important part of a novel vaccine design against BTV-8.

scholarly journals Study on coinfecting vector-borne pathogens in dogs and ticks in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves ◽  
Kilder Dantas Filgueira ◽  
Silvia Maria Mendes Ahid ◽  
Josivânia Soares Pereira ◽  
André Mendes do Vale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Multiple Infections ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Babesia Spp

Since dogs presenting several vector borne diseases can show none or nonspecific clinical signs depending on the phase of infection, the assessment of the particular agents involved is mandatory. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Leishmania spp. in blood samples and ticks, collected from two dogs from Rio Grande do Norte showing suggestive tick-borne disease by using molecular techniques. DNA of E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum were detected in blood samples and R. sanguineus ticks collected from dogs. Among all samples analyzed, two showed the presence of multiple infections with E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum chagasi. Here we highlighted the need for molecular differential diagnosis in dogs showing nonspecific clinical signs.

scholarly journals Canine Filariasis Outbreak in Southwestern Colombia: A Molecular and Epidemiological Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaly Espinosa ◽  
Angelo Rosero ◽  
Claudia Lucia Villegas ◽  
Isabel Cristina Garcia ◽  
Tania Gaviria-Cantin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Main City

Different nematodes affect canines, however, Dirofilaria immitis is the most prevalent filariae. D. immitis causes heartworm disease that can be fatal for dogs and potentially transmitted to humans. Climate change, animal migration, among other factors have changed the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, including filariasis. In the last four years, a sudden increase of dogs with microfilaremia was reported by different veterinary centers in Cali, the main city of Southwest Colombia. The objective of this study was to molecularly identify the etiologic agent of this filariasis outbreak reported in this area from 2018-2019, using a novel PCR&ndash;RFLP method. Those filariasis cases were initially detected by microscopic and serological tests. A total of 82 canine filariasis cases were molecularly analyzed, identifying 55 (67%) of them as Acantacheilonema reconditum. PCR-sequencing was performed in eight cases confirming this finding. The filariasis cases were statistically associated with male dogs who had clinical signs of anemia, with low levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit (p &amp;lt;0.0001), and high levels of plasma proteins (p &amp;lt;0.001). This emerging canine disease constitutes an important public health concern among clinicians and advises active surveillance to explore its zoonotic potential.

scholarly journals Exposure to Major Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs Subjected to Different Preventative Regimens in Endemic Areas of Italy

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 507
Author(s):  
Mariasole Colombo ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
Giulia Simonato ◽  
Angela Di Cesare ◽  
Fabrizia Veronesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Treatment Schedule ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Geographic Spread ◽  
Circulating Antigen ◽  
History Of ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Giglio Island

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are globally widespread arthropod-transmitted diseases with a significant impact on animal and human health. Many drivers have recently spurred the geographic spread of VBDs in dogs. This study has evaluated the exposure to most important VBDs in dogs under different preventative treatments in different regions of Italy, i.e., Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Giglio Island (Tuscany), Abruzzo and Latium. Serological analyses were performed to detect antibodies against Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis/Ehrlichia ewingii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia conorii and the circulating antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. Dogs were categorized according to the treatment schedule usually received, and the association between seropositivity and possible risk factors was statistically evaluated. Overall, 124/242 (51.2%) dogs tested positive for at least one pathogen, while 34 (14.0%) were exposed to two or more pathogens. The most detected seropositivity was against R. conorii, followed by Anaplasma spp., L. infantum, B. canis, and the other pathogens under study. Significant statistical associations were found according to geographical provenance, history of tick infestation, lifestyle and inadequate prophylactic treatments. Random/irregular treatments have been identified as a clear risk factor. These results show that adequate prophylactic treatment protocols are overlooked by dog owners, despite the availability of several effective products, with possible implications in veterinary medicine and on public health.

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