Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from Luanda, Angola

Abstract

BackgroundNo molecular data have been available on tick-borne pathogens that infect dogs from Angola. The occurrence of agents from the genera Anaplasma, Babesia, Ehrlichia and Hepatozoon was assessed in 103 domestic dogs from Luanda, by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis.ResultsForty-six dogs (44.7 %) were positive for at least one pathogen. Twenty-one animals (20.4 %) were found infected with Anaplasma platys, 18 (17.5 %) with Hepatozoon canis, six (5.8 %) with Ehrlichia canis, six (5.8 %) with Babesia vogeli, one (1.0 %) with Babesia gibsoni and one (1.0 %) with an unnamed Babesia sp. The molecular frequency of single infections taken together was 37.9 % and that of co-infections with several combinations of two pathogens accounted for 6.8 % of the animals.ConclusionsThis is the first report of A. platys, B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, E. canis and H. canis infections diagnosed by PCR in domestic dogs from Angola. The present study provides evidence that dogs in Luanda are widely exposed to, and at risk of becoming infected with, tick-borne pathogens. Further investigation is needed, including a larger number of animals, canine populations from other cities and provinces of the country, as well as potential vector ticks, aiming at better characterizing and controlling canine vector-borne diseases in Angola.

Tick-borne haemoparasites and Anaplasmataceae in domestic dogs in Zambia

“…By contrast, three-quarters of the dogs from Shangombo were infected with H. canis. This is remarkable given that other studies of dogs in Zambia, Angola, and Sudan showed 12.6%, 17.5% and 42.3% H. canis-positivity rates, respectively (Williams et al, 2014;Cardoso et al, 2016;Oyamada et al, 2005). It may be that there are more opportunities for dogs to be exposed to ticks in Shangombo for example due to the differences in dog management styles between urban and rural areas in Zambia.…”

Detection and molecular characterisation of Ehrlichia canis in naturally infected dogs in South West Nigeria

“…Canine ehrlichiosis is a rickettsial bacteria disease of dogs that has worldwide distribution (Engvall et al, 1996;McBride et al, 1996;Souza et al, 2010;Fourie et al, 2013;Milanjeet et al, 2014;Cardoso et al, 2016;Cicuttin et al, 2016;Kaewmongkol et al, 2016). Two forms of the disease are known in dogs and humans.…”

“…The prevalence and molecular characteristics of Ehrlichia canis have been studied extensively around the world (Suksawat et al, 2001;Unver et al, 2001;Vinasco et al, 2007;Aguiar et al, 2008;Harrus et al, 2011;Nazari et al, 2013;Milanjeet et al, 2014;Cardoso et al, 2016). One of these studies has revealed that more than one strain may exist in a region (Vinasco et al, 2007).…”

Studies on Acute Phase Inflamatory Proteins of Type 2 Diabetics in Owerri

“…This study is in agreement with the work of Svensson et al, [26] and Tutuncu et al, [27] that reported higher C-reactive protein among people at age of onset due to obesity and accumulation of free fatty acids. Also, Cardoso et al, [28] showed higher CRP which was significantly associated with younger age less than eighty years. Kanmani et al, [29] reported that the association between C-reactive protein and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus which is more prominent among subjects from fifty years due to severe inflammation.…”