Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

Abstract

Currently, climate change, modifications of landscapes and habitats due to human activities, as well as an increase in the movement of reservoirs and new species of competent vectors, have contributed to the spread of canine vector-borne diseases. These are mostly emerging and neglected diseases, some of them with zoonotic potential. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of four major canine vector-borne diseases (Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia canis) in Spain. Between September 2018 and February 2020, blood was sampled from 4643 client-owned dogs from 111 veterinary clinics from the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. All samples were tested for the detection of D. immitis antigens, and for antibodies against L. infantum, Anaplasma spp. and E. canis. Of the studied dogs, 22.14% were positive for one or several diseases while the prevalence was 6.25% (CI: 5.59-6.98) for D. immitis, and the seroprevalences were 10.36% (CI: 9.52-11.27) for L. infantum, 5.06% (CI: 4.47-5.73) for Anaplasma spp., and 4.26% (CI: 3.72-4.88) for E. canis. Co-infections by two and three vector-borne diseases were reported in 13% and 2% of the infected dogs, respectively. The studied vector-borne diseases are widely distributed throughout the Spanish geography, being observed and expanding northward in the case of D. immitis and L. infantum. The results point to an insufficiency of preventive measures to avoid the infection, and the need of the implementation of awareness campaigns among veterinarians and owners. Furthermore, a close collaboration between veterinarians, physicians and health authorities would be necessary for such zoonotic vector-borne diseases.

Angiostrongylus vasorum in Domestic Dogs in Castilla y León, Iberian Peninsula, Spain

“…Regarding sex, the results are similar to previous studies, which concluded that this was not a risk factor for infection. On the other hand, the significant differences found between indoor dogs when compared to indoor/outdoor and outdoor dogs were similar to other vector-borne diseases; clearly, an increased exposure to the vector increases the risk of infection [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. The prevalence was higher in guard and hunting breed dogs; precisely, these dogs spend more hours in outdoor environments, which increases the opportunity to ingest intermediate hosts.…”

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

“…Epidemiological, biological and phenological features of the Mediterranean Basin favor the presence and spreading of pathogens and parasites transmitted by vectors and/or intermediate hosts to dogs and cats [ 15 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Accordingly, this study confirms that dogs from regions of northern and central Italy are highly exposed to several VBDs.…”

Trends in the Epidemiology of Leishmaniasis in the City of Barcelona (1996–2019)

“…Leishmaniasis is the most relevant endemic zoonosis in the last years in the Mediterranean basin, due to the coexistence of Leishmania protozoa; reservoirs such as hare ( 11 , 40 ), rabbits ( 10 ), rodents and dogs ( 9 , 41 ), and competent vectors (sandflies from the genus Phlebotomus) . As a Mediterranean city, Barcelona has the appropriate climatic characteristics for local transmission of Leishmania sp.…”