Distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia spp. infection in hunting dogs from Southern Italy

Veneziano, Vincenzo; Piantedosi, Diego; Ferrari, Nicola; Neola, Benedetto; Santoro, Mario; Pacifico, Laura; Sgroi, Giovanni; D’Alessio, Nicola; Panico, Tullio; Leutenegger, Christian M.; Tyrrell, Phyllis; Buch, Jesse; Breitschwerdt, Edward B.; Chandrashekar, Ramaswamy

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.07.005

Cited by 24 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…These studies, however, did not provide prevalence data. Similar results have been observed in studies carried out in southern Italy and Romania, where seroprevalences of B. vogeli and B. canis infection in hunting dogs were higher [46, 47]. However, comparisons are hindered by diverse diagnostic methods, sample sizes, origins and study times.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…According to our tree model, Bml infection prevalence was increased in older dogs (> 5 years), indicating age is a risk factor for Bml infection in hunting or stray dogs in the A Coruña Province. As suggested by other authors, this finding in healthy dogs in an endemic area of canine babesiosis probably reflects the long-term exposure to ticks rather than an enhanced susceptibility to Babesia infection [46]. However, young animals showed clinical signs more often explained by their first contact with the pathogen [4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

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The role of healthy dog carriers of Babesia microti-like piroplasms

et al. 2019

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BackgroundWhile in Europe Babesia canis has been traditionally held responsible for canine piroplasmosis, Babesia microti-like piroplasm (Bml) infection is being ever more observed in dogs, with the first clinical cases reported in northwestern Spain. This study examines the epidemiological role of healthy dogs living in endemic areas of Bml infection in Spain. The data obtained were used to describe the clinical status and map the geographical distribution of Bml infection in healthy dogs in northwestern Spain.ResultsBlood samples and ticks were taken from 756 healthy dogs representatively across the whole Galicia region (northwestern Spain): stray (n = 211), hunting dogs (n = 333) and pets (n = 212). Blood samples were tested by microscopy parasite observation, nested PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Piroplasm infection prevalences in healthy dogs from northwestern Spain were 17.1% (129/756) by PCR and 3.4% (26/756) by microscopy observation. The species found by PCR were: 2.2% (17/756) for B. canis and 15.1% (114/756) for Bml. Co-infection with B. canis and Bml was noted in 2 dogs. The higher prevalences detected were Bml in hunting dogs (25.5%; 85/333) and B. canis in stray dogs (6.6%; 14/211). In fox-hunting dogs from any area and dogs from the A Coruña Province, significantly higher prevalences of Bml infection were detected (P < 0.001). Upon physical examination, tick infestation was observed: 130 ticks in 18 hunting and three pet dogs. These were subsequently identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) (49.2%), Ixodes hexagonus (38.5%), Ixodes ricinus (6.9%) and Dermacentor reticulatus (5.4%). Among the more prevalent ticks infesting healthy carrier dogs were I. hexagonus, followed by D. reticulatus and I. ricinus.ConclusionsBabesia canis and Bml were the only piroplasm species found infecting healthy dogs in Galicia, the prevalence of Bml being higher than of B. canis. Factors correlated with a higher Bml infection risk were being a hunting dog and living in the A Coruña Province. Healthy dogs travelling to other countries could act as carriers and probably contribute to the spread of Bml infection in dogs and wild carnivores throughout Europe.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

The role of healthy dog carriers of Babesia microti-like piroplasms

et al. 2019

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“…Thus, we found that the proportion of infected dogs increases with age, this is consistent with the results obtained in South Italy [ 34 ], contrary to the results of another study that shows that young dogs are more sensitive than adults [ 24 ]. Some studies have shown no significant age-related differences [ 24 , 34 ]. The low rate of infestation in young dogs can be explained by their low chance of becoming infected or developing a detectable immune response [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Infection with Babesia canis in dogs in the Algiers region: Parasitological and serological study

et al. 2020

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Background and Aim: Canine babesiosis is a vector-borne disease transmitted by ticks of the Ixodidae family. The effects of infection in dogs can range from the subclinical to the severe lethal form. This study aimed to make an original contribution to the knowledge of circulating species of Babesia spp. in dogs in the region of Algiers as well as mechanisms and risk factors for their transmission. Materials and Methods: An epidemiological study was carried out on 189 blood samples taken from dogs from April 2015 to January 2016. The samples taken underwent parasitological by Giemsa-stained blood smear and serological analyzes by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The ticks were looked on all the dogs taken. Results: Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed the presence of two groups of parasites of the genus Babesia: Large Babesia (3/25, 12%) and small Babesia (22/25, 88%). The IFAT at a dilution of 1/32 showed an overall seroprevalence with Babesia canis of 17.98% (95% confidence interval 11.53-22.46). The distribution of the antibody titers for the positive samples showed that of the 34 positive sera with a titer ≥1/32, 28 sera remained positive at a dilution of 1/64 (14.81%), 22 at a dilution of 1/128 (11.64%) and 15 sera remained positive at a dilution of 1/256 (7.93%). Although seroprevalence varied according to canine population (20% and 19.49% in pet dogs and canine pound dogs, respectively, and 6.66-0% in farm dogs and hunting dogs, respectively), statistical analysis showed no significant differences between populations. The antibody titers obtained after several dilutions showed that 22 canine pound dog sera remained positive at a dilution of 1/128 compared to pet dogs and farm dogs which ceased to be positive at the dilution of 1/64. The comparison between the two diagnostic methods showed a strong agreement between the parasitological examination by blood smear and the serological method by IFAT. However, IFAT was much more sensitive. The analysis of risk factors, which may influence B. canis seroprevalence, has shown the influence of age, tick presence, and season. Finally, of the 242 ticks collected from a total of 59 dogs, only one tick species was identified, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Conclusion: This study indicates a frequent circulation of species of Babesia in the dog in the Algiers region and R. sanguineus was the only tick identified.

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“…For example, Pantchev et al (2017) in the same area reported a PCR prevalence of 2.4% for Anaplasma platys and 1.9% for E. canis. Veneziano et al (2018) reported Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli PCR prevalences of 0.15% and 1.1%, respectively. The higher prevalence of H. canis compared with the other R. sanguineus s.l.-associated TBP is supported by studies performed in other endemic areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As R. sanguineus s.l. is the most widespread tick species on the Italian peninsula (Maurelli et al 2018 ), hunting dogs may have an increased risk for acquiring H. canis due to increased frequency of tick exposure and closer contact with wildlife compared with pet dogs (Piantedosi et al 2017 ; Veneziano et al 2018 ; Santoro et al 2019 ). The aims of this study were to determine the H. canis prevalence in hunting dogs living in Southern Italy and to assess the potential risk factors associated with infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatozoon canis in hunting dogs from Southern Italy: distribution and risk factors

et al. 2020

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Hepatozoon canis is a hemoprotozoan organism that infects domestic and wild carnivores throughout much of Europe. The parasite is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of infected ticks containing mature oocysts. The aims of the present survey were to determine the prevalence of H. canis in hunting dogs living in Southern Italy and to assess potential infection risk factors. DNA extracted from whole blood samples, collected from 1433 apparently healthy dogs living in the Napoli, Avellino, and Salerno provinces of Campania region (Southern Italy), was tested by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to amplify H. canis. Furthermore, the investigated dog population was also screened by qPCR for the presence of Ehrlichia canis, a major tick-borne pathogen in Southern Italy, in order to assess possible co-infections. Two hundred dogs were H. canis PCR-positive, resulting in an overall prevalence of 14.0% (CI 12.2-15.9). Breed category (P < 0.0001), hair coat length (P = 0.015), and province of residence (P < 0.0001) represented significant risk factors for H. canis infection. The presence of H. canis DNA was also significantly associated with E. canis PCR positivity (P < 0.0001). Hunting dogs in Campania region (Southern Italy) are frequently exposed to H. canis, and the infection is potentially associated with close contact with wildlife. Further studies are needed to assess the pathogenic potential of H. canis, as well as the epidemiological relationships between hunting dogs and wild animal populations sharing the same habitats in Southern Italy.

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Distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia spp. infection in hunting dogs from Southern Italy

Cited by 24 publications

References 27 publications

The role of healthy dog carriers of Babesia microti-like piroplasms

The role of healthy dog carriers of Babesia microti-like piroplasms

Infection with Babesia canis in dogs in the Algiers region: Parasitological and serological study

Hepatozoon canis in hunting dogs from Southern Italy: distribution and risk factors

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