High Prevalence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from an Indian Reservation in Northeastern Arizona

Abstract

We evaluated the serological and molecular prevalence of selected organisms in 145 dogs during late spring (May/June) of 2005 and in 88 dogs during winter (February) of 2007 from the Hopi Indian reservation. Additionally, in 2005, 442 ticks attached to dogs were collected and identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Infection with or exposure to at least one organism was detected in 69% and 66% of the dogs in May/June 2005 and February 2007, respectively. Exposure to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae was detected in 66.4% (2005) and 53.4% (2007) of dogs, but rickettsial DNA was not detected using polymerase chain reaction. Active Ehrlichia canis infection (by polymerase chain reaction) was identified in 36.6% (2005) and 36.3% (2007) of the dogs. E. canis infection was associated with SFG rickettsiae seroreactivity (p < 0.001). Anaplasma platys DNA was detected in 8.3% (2005) and 4.5% (2007) of the dogs. Babesia canis and Bartonella vinsonii berkhoffii seroprevalences were 6.7% and 1% in 2005, whereas in 2007 prevalences were 0% and 1.1%, respectively. No Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, or Ehrlichia ewingii DNA was detected. Dogs on this Hopi Indian reservation were most frequently infected with E. canis or A. platys; however, more than half of the dogs were exposed to a SFG-Rickettsia species.

Performance of a commercially available in-clinic ELISA for the detection of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis antigen in dogs

“…The sensitivity and specificity for E canis and B burgdorferi were similar to that reported for another ELISA from the same manufacturer. 15,[25][26][27] In the present study, we identified 68 of 846 canine samples that contained antibodies against > 1 species of tick-borne pathogen. A large number of samples with positive results for D immitis (as confirmed during necropsy or on the basis of results of the heartworm antigen test) were evaluated in the present study.…”

“…More than 48 of 217 (22%) samples that were seroreactive for A phagocytophilum were also seroreactive for B burgdorferi. In a recent study, 27 investigators clarified that there can be borreliosis and anaplasmosis coinfection in dogs in defined endemic areas, whereas E canis and A platys generally are in different geographic locations. The prevalence of coinfection in dogs is caused by several factors, including sequential or cotransmission of organisms, the expanding range of the tick vectors, increased travel by pet owners accompanied by their dogs, and a tendency for families to move into tick-laden environments.…”

Intravascular persistence of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Ehrlichia ewingii DNA in the blood of a dog and two family members

“…Until recently [14], no subsequent report of human A. platys infection was published in the English literature. There is substantial epidemiological support for Rhipicephalus sanguineus (the brown dog or kennel tick) as the vector and the dog as the primary reservoir host for A. platys and E. canis [20]. As the puppy in this study originated from a kennel in Missouri, exposure to R. sanguineus seemed more likely than exposure to A. americanum, which is a field tick that will feed on numerous animal species [29].…”

“…Blots were washed thoroughly then incubated with alkaline phosphatase labeled anti-human IgG (γ chain-specific) secondary antibodies and color reactions developed with BCIP/NBT phosphatase substrate (KPL, Inc. Gaithersburg, MD). Serum from the dog was tested for Ehrlichia antibodies by IFA in the IPRL, using antigens derived from canine monocytic DH82 cultures infected with E. canis and E. chaffeensis and for Anaplasma or Ehrlichia antibodies using the Snap® 4Dx®, (IDEXX Laboratories Inc., Westbrook, Maine) [19,20]. …”

Antibodies Reactive toEhrlichiaspp. Are Common in Oklahoma Horses

“…Some strains of E. chaffeensis have homologous proteins to E. canis and therefore cross-reaction can occur (O'Connor et al 2002(O'Connor et al , 2006. Similarly, the A. phagocytophilum peptide detects antibodies induced in dogs upon infection with A. platys (unpublished data; SNAP 4Dx Test kit insert; Diniz et al 2010). The C6 peptide for B. burgdorferi is very specific (Duncan et al 2004); cross-reactions with other infections are not known to occur.…”