Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in hunting dogs infected with Acanthocheilonema reconditum, associated risk factors, and a European overview

Abstract

Acanthocheilonema reconditum is a filarial parasite transmitted by arthropods (fleas, lice, and ticks) that infect dogs. There is minimal published data available to date on potential haematological and biochemical changes associated with this parasitic infection. Study aims were (i) provide an overview of A. reconditum in Europe, (ii) define A. reconditum prevalence and risk factors in a specific dog population (hunting) from southern Italy, and (iii) assess the frequency of haemato-biochemical abnormalities associated with infection. Blood samples collected from 3020 dogs were tested by a modified Knott’s technique to count and identify microfilariae. Eighty-four dogs were infected by A. reconditum (2.78%; 95% CI 2.19–3.37%). Microfilariae ranged from 1 to 212/ml. Based on clinical examination, all but six dogs with non-specific symptoms were healthy. Haematological abnormalities included leucocytosis (n = 15), with eosinophilia (n = 14) and monocytosis (n = 13). Serum biochemical abnormalities included increased total serum proteins (n = 19), albumins (n = 7), total globulins (n = 14), ALT (n = 1), and ALP (n = 1); one dog was hypoalbuminemic, and BUN was mildly increased in 2 dogs. Risk factors included the province origin (Napoli, OR=5.4, 95%CI: 2.1–14.0; Caserta, OR=5.1, 95%CI: 2.5–10.6), hunting wild mammals (OR=2.8, 95% 95%CI: 1.6–4.8), and ectoparasite infestation (OR=1.9, 95%CI: 1.1–3.1). There was a negative correlation between microfilaraemic load and decreased albumin level (−0.37; p=0.021). Our results showed that A. reconditum circulates within the hunting dog population of southern Italy, with seemingly low pathogenic potential.

First study on microscopic and molecular detection of Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Leishmania infantum coinfection in dogs in Southwest Colombia

“…Leukocytosis with eosinophilia has been reported in dogs with microfilaremia by A. reconditum [44,45], which agrees with the hematological alterations in the two dogs. According to Hashem and Badawy [44], lymphocytosis, which was found in P4, P8, and P10, could be related to a chronic phase of filariasis accompanied by normochromic normocytic anemia.…”

“…According to Hashem and Badawy [44], lymphocytosis, which was found in P4, P8, and P10, could be related to a chronic phase of filariasis accompanied by normochromic normocytic anemia. In addition, the increase in plasma proteins with leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and lymphocytosis may be related to the immune response of the dog to circulating Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.16/January-2023/11.pdf microfilarial antigens [44,45]. Thrombocytopenia observed in P2, P6, P7, P8, and P10 may be associated with other vector-borne diseases (Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, or Anaplasma platys, and Leishmania spp.…”

New distribution patterns of Dirofilaria immitis in Italy

“…immitis in biting-midges ( 10 ). In addition, Acanthocheilonema reconditum is a worldwide distributed flea-transmitted filarioid, which is considered as the most prevalent filaroid infesting dogs in the Mediterranean Basin ( 11 – 13 ).…”

A mixed-methods approach to understanding domestic dog health and disease transmission risk in an indigenous reserve in Guyana, South America

“…Finally, Waiwai hunting dogs have previously been reported to receive more care from their owners and appear larger and healthier than non-hunting dogs [ 33 – 35 ]; thus, evidence of better health might be reflected by lower WBC, strongyle-type ova, and eosinophil counts. However, hunting dogs, both directly from their interactions with prey, and indirectly through their increased time spent in the forest [ 51 – 54 ], may have exposure to a greater diversity of parasites [ 55 ] or experience more trauma related to hunting activities, which may be reflected by higher WBC, strongyle-type ova, and eosinophil counts [ 56 ]. Previous studies at other sites have shown higher diversity and prevalence of parasites among hunting dogs compared to non-hunting but free roaming dogs [ 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 ].…”

“…Previous studies at other sites have shown higher diversity and prevalence of parasites among hunting dogs compared to non-hunting but free roaming dogs [ 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 ]. In addition, hunting dogs with higher parasitic loads have been shown to exhibit higher WBC and eosinophil counts [ 51 , 55 , 58 ]. Therefore, we hypothesized that hunting dogs would differ significantly from non-hunting dogs in WBC, strongyle-type ova, and eosinophil counts, but did not predict the direction of this relationship.…”