Tick-Borne Pathogens, Babesia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., in Sled and Companion Dogs from Central and North-Eastern Europe

Bajer, Anna; Kowalec, Maciej; Levytska, V. A.; Mierzejewska, Ewa; Alsarraf, Mustafa; Poliukhovych, Vasyl; Rizzi, Anna; Wężyk, Dagmara; Dwużnik-Szarek, Dorota

doi:10.3390/pathogens11050499

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The prevalence of B. canis in ornate tick populations from the different areas of a single country may differ markedly, as observed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland [ 97 , 233 , 316 ]. Accordingly, the highest incidence of canine babesiosis (from 5 to 250 cases/1000 dogs) is reported from areas with a high percentage of infected ticks—i.e., in eastern Poland, western Ukraine or southwestern Lithuania [ 212 , 294 , 320 , 323 ]. In the future, it will be important to monitor carefully whether these differences in the prevalence of B. canis between tick foci/populations are maintained, or if prevalence changes with further increases in tick density/population/range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesiosis in Southeastern, Central and Northeastern Europe: An Emerging and Re-Emerging Tick-Borne Disease of Humans and Animals

Bajer

Beck

et al. 2022

Microorganisms

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There is now considerable evidence that in Europe, babesiosis is an emerging infectious disease, with some of the causative species spreading as a consequence of the increasing range of their tick vector hosts. In this review, we summarize both the historic records and recent findings on the occurrence and incidence of babesiosis in 20 European countries located in southeastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia), central Europe (Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland), and northern and northeastern Europe (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway), identified in humans and selected species of domesticated animals (cats, dogs, horses, and cattle). Recorded cases of human babesiosis are still rare, but their number is expected to rise in the coming years. This is because of the widespread and longer seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus as a result of climate change and because of the more extensive use of better molecular diagnostic methods. Bovine babesiosis has a re-emerging potential because of the likely loss of herd immunity, while canine babesiosis is rapidly expanding in central and northeastern Europe, its occurrence correlating with the rapid, successful expansion of the ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) populations in Europe. Taken together, our analysis of the available reports shows clear evidence of an increasing annual incidence of babesiosis across Europe in both humans and animals that is changing in line with similar increases in the incidence of other tick-borne diseases. This situation is of major concern, and we recommend more extensive and frequent, standardized monitoring using a “One Health” approach.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesiosis in Southeastern, Central and Northeastern Europe: An Emerging and Re-Emerging Tick-Borne Disease of Humans and Animals

Bajer

Beck

et al. 2022

Microorganisms

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“…(STAT4, INF-γ, GATA3, STAT6, IL-10, IL-13, SOCS3) was detected in three groups of dogs-in dogs with mild/ moderate and severe babesiosis (groups Babesia 1 and Babesia 2) and in dogs co-infected with B. canis and D. repens (Figs. 1,2,3). The expression of all tested cytokines/factors except for INF-γ was observed in dogs infected only with D. repens.…”

Section: Summary Of Immune Response In Dogs Infected With B Canis D R...mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…IL-13 expression was predominant in dogs infected with D. repens, and STAT6 and IL-10 predominated in dogs with co-infections.Babesia canis and Dirofilaria repens are widespread parasites of dogs, with expanding geographical distribution in Central and North-Eastern Europe 1-9 . Babesiosis due to B. canis infection is an emerging tick-borne disease 1,2,10,11 . The most common symptoms of babesiosis are lethargy, fever, anorexia, icterus and exercise intolerance [11][12][13] .…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The most common symptoms of babesiosis are lethargy, fever, anorexia, icterus and exercise intolerance [11][12][13] . While some infected dogs remain asymptomatic or present with only mild transient symptoms 1,11,14 , the outcome of infection can be fatal in dogs with severe babesiosis, and despite treatment, fatality ranges 2-10% 1,2 . Some dogs may develop shock and/or renal failure leading to death 12,[15][16][17][18] .…”

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confidence: 99%

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Haematological indices and immune response profiles in dogs naturally infected and co-infected with Dirofilaria repens and Babesia canis

Wężyk

Romanczuk

Rizzi

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Co-infections with Dirofilaria repens and Babesia canis are rarely reported in the literature and there is very limited knowledge of their impact on canine health. Central Poland is endemic for both parasites, posing a risk of co-infections in dogs. To evaluate the impact of co-infection with B. canis and D. repens on canine health, four groups of dogs were examined: healthy dogs, dogs infected with B. canis, dogs infected with D. repens and dogs co-infected with both species. Blood parameters indicative of anaemia, kidney and liver damage were analysed statistically. Additionally, expression levels of immune response genes were quantified and compared, to define the type of immune response typically encountered in single- and co-infections. In dogs infected with D. repens, no major alterations in blood parameters were observed. Dogs infected with B. canis suffered from anaemia, kidney and liver insufficiency. In contrast, dogs co-infected with D. repens and B. canis showed milder alternation in blood biochemical parameters associated with liver (ALP activity) and kidney (serum urea and creatinine levels) dysfunction, compared to dogs infected only with B. canis. The expression of genes associated with cellular (Th1-mediated) (STAT4 and INF-γ), humoral (Th2-mediated) (STAT6, GATA3, SOCS3, IL-13) and regulatory (IL-10) responses was quantified. For this analysis, dogs infected with B. canis were divided into two groups—‘Babesia 1’ (mild babesiosis), ‘Babesia 2’ (severe babesiosis). All the tested factors, except INF-γ, were found to be expressed in dogs infected with D. repens. In ‘Babesia 1’ dogs, expression of GATA3 was highest, while in ‘Babesia 2’—INF-γ and SOCS3 dominated. IL-13 expression was predominant in dogs infected with D. repens, and STAT6 and IL-10 predominated in dogs with co-infections.

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“…Dogs and horses are among the most popular pets and animals used in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) and are in close contact with children or other vulnerable patients [ 20 ]. Despite the abundance of epidemiological data on canine and equine TBDs [ 14 , 21 , 22 ], specific information on the exposure to zoonotic anaplasmosis and borreliosis from dogs and horses living in contact with vulnerable people is scarce. In fact, the overlap of clinical signs in animals suffering from anaplasmosis or borreliosis with other diseases and the limitations of available diagnostic options often lead to an underestimation of these TBDs [ 7 , 14 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroexposure to Zoonotic Anaplasma and Borrelia in Dogs and Horses That Are in Contact with Vulnerable People in Italy

Traversa

Milillo

Maggi³

et al. 2023

Pathogens

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Equine and canine anaplasmosis and borreliosis are major tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and various species of Borrelia (the most important being Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.), respectively. This study evaluated the seroexposure to Anaplasma and Borrelia in dogs and horses used in Animal-Assisted Interventions or living in contact with children, elderly people or immunocompromised persons. A total of 150 horses and 150 dogs living in Italy were equally divided into clinically healthy animals and animals with at least one clinical sign compatible with borreliosis and/or anaplasmosis (present at clinical examination or reported in the medical history). Serum samples were tested with ELISA and immunoblot for the presence of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l., and the association between seropositivity and possible risk factors was analyzed using multivariate and univariate tests. Overall, 13 dogs (8.7%) and 19 horses (12.7%) were positive for at least one of the two pathogens. In addition, 1 dog (0.7%) and 12 horses (8%) were positive for antibodies against A. phagocytophilum, while 12 dogs (8.0%) and 10 horses (6.7%) had antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. Tick infestation in the medical history of the dogs was significantly associated with seropositivity to at least one pathogen (p = 0.027; OR 7.398). These results indicate that, in Italy, ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum and/or B. burgdorferi circulate in places where horses and dogs are in contact with people at risk of developing severe diseases. Awareness should be increased, and adequate control plans need to be developed to protect human and animal health, especially where vulnerable, at-risk individuals are concerned.

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Tick-Borne Pathogens, Babesia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., in Sled and Companion Dogs from Central and North-Eastern Europe

Cited by 11 publications

References 47 publications

Babesiosis in Southeastern, Central and Northeastern Europe: An Emerging and Re-Emerging Tick-Borne Disease of Humans and Animals

Babesiosis in Southeastern, Central and Northeastern Europe: An Emerging and Re-Emerging Tick-Borne Disease of Humans and Animals

Haematological indices and immune response profiles in dogs naturally infected and co-infected with Dirofilaria repens and Babesia canis

Seroexposure to Zoonotic Anaplasma and Borrelia in Dogs and Horses That Are in Contact with Vulnerable People in Italy

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