Serological and molecular diagnosis of Ehrlichia canis and associated risk factors in dogs domiciled in western Cuba

Navarrete, Maylín González; Cordeiro, Matheus Dias; Silva, Cláudia Bezerra da; Massard, Carlos Luiz; López, Eugenio Roque; Rodríguez, Julio César A.; Ribeiro, Carla Carolina Dias Uzedo; Fonseca-Rodríguez, Osvaldo; Fonseca, Adivaldo Henrique da

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.10.005

Cited by 4 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Prior to this study, Navarrete et al [21] described the presence of E. canis as a canine tick-borne pathogen in Cuba; however, to date, the thrombocytopenia in dogs was a problem of unknown aetiology. In this study, the presence of E. canis infections was associated with significantly lower platelet count values compared to non-infected dogs (p = 0.018), this fact was even more significant when co-infection was considered (p = 0.016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The presence of canine tick-borne pathogens A. platys and E. canis have been previously described in Cuba [21,22], but the information regarding the prevalence and genetic diversity of these pathogens remains lacking. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of A. platys, A. phagocytophilum, B. burgdorferi s.l., E. canis and Rickettsia spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Diagnosis, Prevalence and Importance of Zoonotic Vector-Borne Pathogens in Cuban Shelter Dogs—A Preliminary Study

et al. 2020

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The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, including Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in shelter dogs from Cuba. Blood samples were collected from 100 shelter dogs and examined by molecular methods. Overall, 85 (85%; 95% CI: 77.88–92.12) dogs tested positive for at least one vector-borne pathogen using species-specific qPCR assays. Among the positive samples, E. canis was the most prevalent 62% (95% CI: 52.32–71.68), followed by A. platys 40% (95% CI: 30.23–49.77) and Rickettsia felis 27% (95% CI: 18.15–35.85), whereas 36% (95% CI: 26.43–45.57) showed co-infections. All samples were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. The presence of 248 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs was not statistically associated with the occurrence of infections. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent haematological alteration found in PCR-positive dogs; it was statistically associated with the presence of E. canis, as well as co-infections (p < 0.05). The phylogenetic analyses of A. platys and E. canis based on 16S rRNA, groEL and gltA genes showed a low genetic diversity between Cuban strains. The present study demonstrates the high prevalence of vector-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential in shelter dogs from Cuba.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Diagnosis, Prevalence and Importance of Zoonotic Vector-Borne Pathogens in Cuban Shelter Dogs—A Preliminary Study

et al. 2020

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“…More recently, an epidemiological study using molecular (i.e., PCR) and serological (i.e., iELISA) tests found 50% of E. canis positive samples and 78.6% of E. canis seroprevalence, respectively, among domestic dogs ( n = 162) from four municipalities in the western region of Cuba [ 25 ]. Additionally, a study by Navarrete et al [ 24 ] revealed an increased risk of Ehrlichia infection in some localities with a history of tick infestation.…”

Section: Ticks and Tbps Infection In Dogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, ticks and TBDs pose a threat to other animals in Cuba, especially horses, small ruminants, and pets [ 24 , 25 ]. No significant incidence of TBDs has been reported in humans in the country.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Cuba, Half a Century of Scientific Research

et al. 2020

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Ticks and the vast array of pathogens they transmit, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths, constitute a growing burden for human and animal health worldwide. In Cuba, the major tropical island in the Caribbean, ticks are an important cause of vector-borne diseases affecting livestock production, pet animal health and, to a lesser extent, human health. The higher number of tick species in the country belong to the Argasidae family and, probably less known, is the presence of an autochthonous tick species in the island, Ixodes capromydis. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affecting animal and human health in Cuba. The review covers research results including ecophysiology of ticks, the epidemiology of TBPs, and the diagnostic tools used currently in the country for the surveillance of TBPs. We also introduce the programs implemented in the country for tick control and the biotechnology research applied to the development of anti-tick vaccines.

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“…More recently, an epidemiological study including 378 domestic dogs from four municipalities in the western region of Cuba found high prevalence (47.4%) of E. canis infection detected by PCR in blood samples [ 24 ]. In addition, of 206 plasma samples examined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 78.6% were seropositive for E. canis [ 24 ]. An increased risk of E. canis infection in some localities with a history of tick infestation was also observed [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Ehrlichia canis genogroup in dogs with canine ehrlichiosis in Cuba

et al. 2022

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Background Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is caused by the tick-borne pathogen Ehrlichia canis, an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium of the family Anaplasmataceae with tropism for canine monocytes and macrophages. The trp36 gene, which encodes for the major immunoreactive protein TRP36 in E. canis, has been successfully used to characterize the genetic diversity of this pathogen in different regions of the world. Based on trp36 sequence analysis, four E. canis genogroups, United States (US), Taiwan (TWN), Brazil (BR) and Costa Rica (CR), have been identified. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity of E. canis in Cuba based on the trp36 gene. Methods Whole blood samples (n = 8) were collected from dogs found to be infested with the tick vector Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) and/or presenting clinical signs and symptoms of CME. Total DNA was extracted from the blood samples and trp36 fragments were amplified by PCR. Nucleotide and protein sequences were compared using alignments and phylogenetic analysis. Results Four of the trp36 sequences obtained (n = 8) fall within the phylogenetic cluster grouping the US genogroup E. canis strains. The other E. canis trp36 sequences formed a separate and well-supported clade (94% bootstrap value) that is phylogenetically distant from the other major groups and thus represents a new genogroup, herein designated as the ‘Cuba (CUB) genogroup’. Notably, dogs infected with the CUB genogroup presented frequent hemorrhagic lesions. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that genetic diversification of E. canis in Cuba is associated with the emergence of E. canis strains with increased virulence.

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Serological and molecular diagnosis of Ehrlichia canis and associated risk factors in dogs domiciled in western Cuba

Cited by 4 publications

References 36 publications

Molecular Diagnosis, Prevalence and Importance of Zoonotic Vector-Borne Pathogens in Cuban Shelter Dogs—A Preliminary Study

Molecular Diagnosis, Prevalence and Importance of Zoonotic Vector-Borne Pathogens in Cuban Shelter Dogs—A Preliminary Study

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Cuba, Half a Century of Scientific Research

Novel Ehrlichia canis genogroup in dogs with canine ehrlichiosis in Cuba

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