Ticks and associated pathogens in dogs from Greece

Latrofa, Maria Stefanía; Angelou, Athanasios; Giannelli, Alessio; Annoscia, Giada; Ravagnan, Silvia; Dantas‐Torres, Filipe; Capelli, Gioia; Halos, Lénaïg; Beugnet, Frédéric; Papadopoulos, Elias; Otranto, Domenico

doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2225-2

Cited by 38 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The infection rate by E. canis , much lower than that recorded for R. conorii , could appear unexpected, but it is similar with that recorded in a recent study from southern Italy [46]. It should be noted that different lineages of R. sanguineus have a low capacity to transmit E. canis [47], thus explaining why in some cases the prevalence of E. canis infection could result lower than expected [48, 49].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 69%

“…This tick species was not found on the dogs examined in the present study. However, it is widespread in continental Greece [49, 51, 52] and further investigations to evaluate its presence in insular Greece could be thus useful. The absence or limited occurrence of A. platys , the agent of infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia, is more surprising as this bacterium is probably transmitted by R. sanguineus ticks and common in the Mediterranean regions [43, 53].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Diakou

Cesare

Morelli

et al. 2018

Preprint

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29The present study investigated the presence of endo-and ecto-parasites, and vector-borne pathogens, 30 in dogs from four islands of Greece. A total of 200 owned and sheltered dogs were examined with 31 different microscopic, serological and molecular methods. 32Of the examined dogs, 130 (65%) were positive for one or more parasites and/or vector-borne 33 pathogens. The most common zoonotic intestinal helminths recorded were Ancylostomatidae 34 (12.5%) and Toxocara canis (3.5%). Ninety-three dogs (46.5%) seroreacted to Rickettsia conorii. 35 Twenty-two (11%) of them were also PCR positive and 7 (3.5%) showed corpuscoles suggestive of 36 Rickettsia spp. on the blood smears. Nineteen dogs (9.5%) were seropositive for Ehrlichia canis, three 37 of them being also PCR positive. Dogs positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-Anaplasma platys 38 (1%), Dirofilaria immitis (0.5%) and Babesia canis (0.5%) were also found. Fleas and ticks were 39 recorded in 53 (26.5%) and 50 (25%) dogs and all specimens were identified as Ctenocephalides felis 40 felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu latu. Binary multiple univariate Generalized Linear Models 41 were used to investigate factors and clinical signs related to the recorded positivity, while the 42 association of specific signs with the pathogens was evaluated using tests of independence. 43 Knowledge of occurrence and impact of zoonotic parasites and vector-borne pathogens in dog 44 populations is crucial to prevent the infection in animals and people, and to control the risk of 45 spreading of these pathogens in endemic and non-endemic areas. 46 47 Author summary 48 Both owned and sheltered dogs can harbor a variety of intestinal and extra-intestinal endoparasites, 49as well as vector-borne pathogens and ectoparasites, of zoonotic concern. Dog shelters and stray dogs 50 are present in several touristic areas of Greece, including Sporades and Cyclades islands, where 51 tourists often bring their pets with them, likely travelling from non-endemic to endemic areas. The 52 present study has been carried out with the aim to evaluate the occurrence of the aforementioned 53 pathogens. Data obtained showed that they are present in canine populations of Greece, with 54 possibilities of infection for travelling dogs, which can also contribute to the spreading of zoonotic 55 vector-borne diseases, introducing new pathogens in previously non-endemic areas. For these 56 reasons, a constant monitoring of the epidemiological situation, improving control measures and 57 correct diagnostic approaches are of primary importance for the prevention of canine and human 58 infections, decreasing the spreading of potentially deadly pathogens. 59 60 61 62 65circulation of zoonotic infections are difficult to control. Because of a lifestyle that implies a low-66 grade of sanitary management, stray and free-roaming dogs are at high risk of becoming infected with 67 a wide range of pathogens. Consequently, they act as a permanent source of infection for vectors, 68 other animals an...

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Diakou

Cesare

Morelli

et al. 2018

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…These two tick species often parasitize wild carnivores in Romania (D’ Amico et al ). In Italy, coinfestation with two different tick species was found in 1.7% of examined dogs (Maurelli et al ) and in Greece on 6.7% of dogs (Latrofa et al ), while in this study we found coinfestation on 13.3% of dogs. Most of the coinfested animals were parasitized by D. reticulatus in association with D. marginatus , H. inermis, and I. ricinus .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 46%

Diversity, ecology, and seasonality of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Croatia

Krčmar

2019

Journal of Vector Ecology

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The diversity of hard tick fauna was studied in different forest communities in 48 localities of eastern Croatia using the dragging‐flagging method and by hand from ten different vertebrate hosts. A total of 2,225 specimens comprising seven species in three genera were identified. Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant species (72.8% of all collected specimens) was recorded in 44 localities, followed by Dermacentor reticulatus in 19 localities, while the other five species (D. marginatus, H. concinna, H. inermis, I. canisuga, and I. hexagonus) were recorded in fewer localities. The highest ratio (67% of collected ticks) was in the adult stage with the predominance of females. The numbers of collected females, males, and nymphs of I. ricinus and H. concinna differed significantly. Ten new tick‐host associations in Croatia were recorded. Fifty‐three animals were infested with one tick species. Single species infestation with I. ricinus was found in 45.8% of animals, followed by D. reticulatus with 25.4%, D. marginatus with 10.2%, H. inermis and I. hexagonus with 3.4%, and I. canisuga with 1.7%. Coinfestation with two species of ticks were recorded in six animals. Ixodes ricinus, H. inermis, and D. reticulatus showed bimodal seasonal activity; for other species unimodal activity patterns were recorded.

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“…As in previous publications (Latrofa et al, 2017;Varela-Stokes et al, 2017), ticks infected with classic tick-borne pathogens (Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Theileria spp., C. felis, H. canis and Ehrlichia spp.) constitute a low percentage of the total pools analyzed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Our results showed a higher prevalence of endosymbionts in the studied pools of ticks (92%) than in previous reports. In a study in Greece, only 11.1% of ticks feeding on owned dogs were positive for endosymbionts (Coxiella or Rickettsia) or tick-borne pathogens (Latrofa et al, 2017). However, only adult ticks were processed in our study, being the stage in which more endosymbionts are detected (Latrofa et al, 2017), probably as a consequence of the multiple feeding of different stages, producing a higher bacterial load that is not specific of the tick, but "obtained" in the blood feeding of immatures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Endosymbionts carried by ticks feeding on dogs in Spain

Vilà

Estrada-Peña

Altet

et al. 2019

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

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Studies on tick microbial communities historically focused on tick-borne pathogens. However, there is an increasing interest in capturing relationships among non-pathogenic endosymbionts and exploring their relevance for tick biology. The present study included a total of 1600 adult ticks collected from domestic dogs in 4 different biogeographical regions of Spain. Each pool formed by 1 to 10 halves of individuals representing one specific ticks species was examined by PCR for the presence of Coxiellaceae, Rickettsia spp., Rickettsiales, Wolbachia spp., and other bacterial DNA. Of the pools analyzed, 92% tested positive for endosymbiont-derived DNA. Coxiella spp. endosymbionts were the most prevalent microorganisms, being always present in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) pools. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in 60% of Dermacentor reticulatus pools and 40% of R. sanguineus s.l. pools, with a higher diversity of Rickettsia species in R. sanguineus s.l. pools. Our study reveals a negative relationship of Rickettsia massiliae with the presence of tick-borne pathogens in the same pool of ticks. An additional endosymbiont, 'Candidatus Rickettsiella isopodorum', was only detected in D. reticulatus pools. Data from this study indicate that dogs in Spain are exposed to several endosymbionts. Due to the importance of tick-borne pathogens, characterizing the role of endosymbionts for tick physiology and prevalence, may lead to novel control strategies.

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Ticks and associated pathogens in dogs from Greece

Cited by 38 publications

References 48 publications

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Endoparasites and vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Greek islands: pathogen distribution and zoonotic implications

Diversity, ecology, and seasonality of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Croatia

Endosymbionts carried by ticks feeding on dogs in Spain

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