First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe

Schäfer, Ingo; Müller, Elisabeth; Nijhof, Ard M.; Aupperle‐Lellbach, Heike; Loesenbeck, G.; Cramer, Sybille; Naucke, Torsten J.

doi:10.1186/s13071-022-05392-7

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In vertebrates, the transmission routes of Hepatozoon primarily include the ingestion of infected ectoparasites containing mature oocysts, often during grooming [ 15 , 16 , 41 , 42 ], and, to a lesser extent, the consumption of infected prey tissue carrying meronts or cystozoites (predation) or ectoparasites attached to their prey [ 43 – 46 ]. In mammals, transmission of macromeronts also occurs through the placenta (transplacental) [ 47 – 49 ]. However, this route was only confirmed in Hepatozoon canis , but it probably also occurs in Hepatozoon americanum [ 50 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) in wild mammals of the Americas: a systematic review

Thomas,

Santodomingo,

Saboya-Acosta

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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Abstract Background The study of parasites provides insight into intricate ecological relationships in ecosystem dynamics, food web structures, and evolution on multiple scales. Hepatozoon Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) is a genus of protozoan hemoparasites with heteroxenous life cycles that switch infections between vertebrates and blood-feeding invertebrates. The most comprehensive review of the genus was published 26 years ago, and currently there are no harmonized data on the epizootiology, diagnostics, genotyping methods, evolutionary relationships, and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon in the Americas. Methods Here, we provide a comprehensive review based on the PRISMA method regarding Hepatozoon in wild mammals within the American continent, in order to generate a framework for future research. Results 11 out of the 35 countries of the Americas (31.4%) had data on Hepatozoon, with Carnivora and Rodentia orders having the most characterizations. Bats, ungulates, and shrews were the least affected groups. While Hepatozoon americanum, H. americanum-like, H. canis, H. didelphydis, H. felis, H. milleri, H. griseisciuri, and H. procyonis correspond to the identified species, a plethora of genospecies is pending for a formal description combining morphology and genetics. Most of the vectors of Hepatozoon in the Americas are unknown, but some flea, mite, and tick species have been confirmed. The detection of Hepatozoon has relied mostly on conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the implementation of specific real time PCR for the genus needs to be employed to improve its diagnosis in wild animals in the future. From a genetic perspective, the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene has been widely sequenced for the identification of Hepatozoon in wild animals. However, mitochondrial and apicoplast markers should also be targeted to truly determine different species in the genus. A phylogenetic analysis of herein retrieved 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences showed two main clades of Hepatozoon: Clade I associated with small mammals, birds, and herpetozoa, and Clade II associated with Carnivora. The topology of the tree is also reflected in the haplotype network. Conclusions Finally, our review emphasizes Hepatozoon as a potential disease agent in threatened wild mammals and the role of wild canids as spreaders of Hepatozoon infections in the Americas. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) in wild mammals of the Americas: a systematic review

Thomas,

Santodomingo,

Saboya-Acosta

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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“…Other studies also found a high prevalence in Sudan (42%), Ghana (40%), and Nigeria (41%) [19][20][21]. This characteristically high prevalence with wide distribution has been attributed to a large number of known vectors, including Rhipicephalus spp., and the potential for vertical transmission to puppies [22][23][24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs from Chad, Africa, in a One Health context

Haynes,

Garrett,

Grunert

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Tick-borne pathogens are understudied among domestic animals in sub-Saharan Africa but represent significant threats to the health of domestic animals and humans. Specifically, additional data are needed on tick-borne pathogens in Chad, Africa. Surveillance was conducted among domestic dogs in Chad for selected tick-borne pathogens to measure (1) the prevalence of antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia spp.; (2) the prevalence of infections caused by Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Babesia spp.; and (3) associations of pathogens with demographic, spatial, and temporal factors. Blood samples were collected from domestic dogs at three time points (May 2019, November 2019, June 2020) across 23 villages in three regions in southern Chad. Results Of the 428 dogs tested with the IDEXX SNAP 4Dx test in May 2019, 86% (n = 370, 95% CI = 83–90%) were positive for antibodies to Ehrlichia spp., 21% (n = 88, 95% CI = 17–25%) were positive for antibodies to Anaplasma spp., and 0.7% (n = 3, 95% CI = 0.1–2%) were positive for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Four different pathogens were detected via PCR. Hepatozoon spp. were most commonly detected (67.2–93.4%, depending on the time point of sampling), followed by E. canis (7.0-27.8%), A. platys (10.1–22.0%), and Babesia canis vogeli (0.4–1.9%). Dogs were coinfected with up to three pathogens at a single time point, and coinfections were most common in May 2019 compared to November 2019 and May 2020. Conclusions Overall, this study provides new data about the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in Chad, with potential implications for dog and human health.

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“…Additionally, the ingestion of infected prey was confirmed as the route of infection for snakes or for Hepatozoon americanum in dogs [ 43 ]. Among the host population, the vertical path of infection, from mother to offspring, may be significant, as was proven for H. canis in dogs [ 44 ] or Hepatozoon erhardovae in voles [ 31 ]. Interestingly, we had three H. canis -positive puppies from one location, but we cannot confirm whether they were siblings born from an infected mother.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features

Tołkacz,

Kretschmer,

Nowak

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a common infection in dogs, with frequent case reports from the Mediterranean region and more recently from several Central European countries, such as Hungary and Germany. Despite the high prevalence of H. canis in red foxes, no infections have been reported to date in dogs in Poland. We describe here the first autochthonous cases of H. canis infection in dogs, including their clinical features, and report the prevalence of H. canis in grey wolves from different regions of Poland. Methods Thin smears prepared from blood samples collected from dogs were evaluated by microscopic examination. A total of 60 wolves and 47 dogs were tested. Infections were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Results Gamonts of H. canis were found in > 50% of the neutrophils of two dogs and in < 10% of the neutrophils in another five dogs. Molecular typing by PCR sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragment confirmed infections in 11 dogs from different regions of Poland, in 2.7% of dogs attending veterinary practices in central Poland and in 35% of wolves from various geographical regions of Poland. Clinical features manifested mostly in older dogs, and the most common signs were anaemia and apathy. Young dogs usually remained asymptomatic. Conclusions This is the first report of H. canis infection in dogs and wolves in Poland. Although the exact vector of the parasite is not known, veterinary practitioners should be aware of this new parasitosis and should consider appropriate diagnostics to confirm/exclude this infection. Further studies are needed to understand the transmission routes of H. canis in domestic and wild canids in Poland. Graphical Abstract

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First evidence of vertical Hepatozoon canis transmission in dogs in Europe

Cited by 19 publications

References 30 publications

Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) in wild mammals of the Americas: a systematic review

Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) in wild mammals of the Americas: a systematic review

Surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs from Chad, Africa, in a One Health context

The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features

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