Tick-borne Diseases (Borreliosis, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis) in German and Austrian Dogs: Status quo and Review of Distribution, Transmission, Clinical Findings, Diagnostics and Prophylaxis

Abstract

Tick-borne diseases (TBD) in dogs have gained in significance in German and Austrian veterinary practices. The widespread European tick species Ixodes ricinus represents an important vector for spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group and Rickettsiales such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The meadow or ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) is an important vector for Babesia canis, as is the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) for Babesia vogeli in the Mediterranean region. The present work covers pathogen transmission by tick vectors, including the mechanisms and the minimum intervals required, in conjunction with possible non-vector-borne transmission routes. It also addresses the incubation periods, pathogenicity and clinical findings associated with each pathogen and genospecies and presents case examples. Current data on prevalence, annual fluctuations and distribution in various pre-selected dog populations (symptomatic versus asymptomatic) in both countries are depicted in maps. Reasons for changes in prevalence (especially of Borrelia) are discussed. Criteria and algorithms for clinical diagnosis and monitoring in dogs, including case history, direct detection (blood smears, molecular detection by species-specific PCR and sequencing) and indirect methods (whole-cell and peptide-based antibody tests), are presented, together with laboratory abnormalities (haematology, clinical chemistry, urine). The role of anti-C6 antibody concentration (ACAC) and its correlation with proteinuria and Lyme nephritis are assessed on the basis of new data. Consideration is also given to the importance of blood smears, PCR and serology in the case of anaplasmosis and babesiosis, and the diagnostic value of combining these methods. The relevance of molecular differentiation of Anaplasma species (A. phagocytophilum versus A. platys) and Babesia spp. (large versus small forms) in cases of serological cross-reaction is emphasized. A summary is given of methods for prophylaxis using acaricide products (collars, spot-on solutions and oral treatments in both countries), vaccination (Borrelia and Babesia vaccines) and imidocarb-based chemoprophylaxis for large Babesia.

Retrospective Analysis of Canine Vector-borne Diseases (CVBD) in Germany with Emphasis on the Endemicity and Risk Factors of Leishmaniosis

“…Detection of large Babesia merozoites in Giemsa-stained blood and Babesia DNA in blood samples were observed significantly often in native dogs from Germany (without travel history) than in imported dogs (Table 3). These data agree with recent serological data (B. canis ELISA) obtained for Germany (Pantchev et al 2015a). A possible explanation is that a larger proportion of the animals with a history of travel were tested preventively irrespective of symptoms, whereas the animals that had stayed within Germany were tested on the basis of clinical suspicion.…”

“…In the present study, dogs older than 12 months had more often antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. Age correlation and anaplasmosis in dogs is supported by studies from Sweden and USA (reviewed by Pantchev et al 2015a). Possible explanation might be that repeated reinfection is necessary (hence older dogs), or a fully developed immune system is required, because Anaplasma impact on various immunological processes in order to survive.…”

“…As the present study demonstrated, a single microscopic blood smear test, compared with PCR as the established gold standard, had a relative sensitivity of only 38 % and a relative specificity of over 99 %. Another major advantage of the PCR technique is that, following a positive Babesia result, differentiation of species can subsequently be performed by either species-specific real-time PCRs or SSU rDNA amplification with subsequent sequencing (Pantchev et al 2015a). …”

“…Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by parasites, bacteria or viruses transmitted by the bite of hematophagous arthropods (mainly ticks and mosquitoes). The occurrence of some vector-borne diseases of dogs and cats is increasing in Europe, i.e., canine leishmaniosis and filariosis (Otranto et al 2009a, Pantchev et al 2011, Wolf et al 2014 or babesiosis (Pantchev et al 2015a). CVBDs show an impact on animal and human health and a spread to non-endemic areas (Hirsch and Pantchev 2008).…”

Autochthonous Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis and imported Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs in the Czech Republic

“…canis is an emerging pathogen in Europe (Solano-Gallego et al 2016) and, in the last decades, has become locally endemic in all countries bordering the Czech Republic. Canine babesiosis is present in localities with established populations of D. reticulatus in Germany (Naucke 2008), Austria (Halos et al 2014;Pantchev et al 2015), Poland (Mierzejewska et al 2015) and Slovakia (Kubelova (Beijing SBS Genetech, China). PCR products from the second run of nested piroplasmid PCR and from Hepatozoon PCR were purified (Gel/PCR DNA Fragment Extraction Kit, Geneaid Biotech, Taiwan) and subjected to sequencing using the amplification primers (Macrogen Europe, the Netherlands).…”