Molecular detection of <i>Babesia canis vogeli</i> and <i>Hepatozoon canis</i> in dogs in the department of Magdalena (Colombia)

Abstract

The canine population in the cities of Ciénaga and Santa Marta has been estimated at 54,953 based on individual dogs with owners. Due to the role that dogs play in society, either as pets or as transmitters of zoonoses to humans, we conducted a study with 169 blood samples from dogs that visited two veterinary clinics in these locations between March and September of 2017. The objective of the study was to detect species of Babesia and Hepatozoon canis by amplifying the 18S gene using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCRc). The presence of Babesia sp. and Hepatozoon canis was detected in 15 (8.87%) and 12 (7.10%) DNA samples, respectively. In addition, 7 (4.14%) cases of coinfection were recorded. The Babesia sp. sequences obtained corresponded to the B. canis vogeli subspecies. This both pathogens in the Colombian Caribbean region and cases of coinfection in Colombian dogs. Therefore, the national veterinary community is encouraged to consider the information presented here in their differential diagnoses associated with companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs). This information will allow veterinary professionalsto create control and prevention strategies to prevent the spread of these infections.

Completing the Puzzle: A Cluster of Hunting Dogs with Tick-Borne Illness from a Fishing Community in Tobago, West Indies

“…Hepatozoon canis has been reported in dogs and ticks from the Caribbean and the Americas [ 34 , 35 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. The DNA of H. canis was amplified in one of the R. sanguineus ticks but not in the host’s blood.…”

Molecular detection of <i>Hepatozoon canis</i> in dogs from Ibagué, Tolima

“…Among these diseases, hepatozoonosis has been reported worldwide in many areas, including the USA [23], Asia [2], Europe [30], Africa [18], and Latin American countries, such as Brazil [26] and Venezuela [15]. In Colombia, this disease has been reported in several cities, including Cúcuta [7], Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Villavicencio [41], Magdalena [38], and Pereira [5]; however, this is the first study to report its occurrence in Ibagué (Tolima), although at a lower prevalence (4.5%) than in other Colombian cities.…”

Identificación molecular de microorganismos hemotrópicos transmitidos por vectores en caninos domésticos de diferentes centros veterinarios de Medellín, Colombia

“…No obstante, puesto que los animales testados no fueron escogidos aleatoriamente de la población en Medellín, los resultados no pueden considerarse como una prevalencia. Sin embargo, corroboran los hallazgos en otras partes del país donde la prevalencia es alta tanto en animales sintomáticos como sanos (Carrillo-Bonilla, et al 2012;Otalora et al 2022;Rojas-Triviño et al 2013;Molano et al 2008;Thomas et al 2020;Vargas-Hernández et al 2012a;Vargas-Hernández et al 2012b) (Otalora et al 2022). En este estudio, 3 de 4 perros infectados con Anaplasma spp.…”