Associations between clinical canine leishmaniosis and multiple vector-borne co-infections

Background: Dogs that have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL), caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, are commonly co-infected with other pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens (VBP). A recent PCR-based study found that ClinL dogs are more likely to be additionally infected with the rickettsi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Attipa, Charalampos|||0000-0001-6039-6586, Solano Gallego, Laia.|||0000-0001-8479-4896, Leutenegger, Christian M., Papasouliotis, Kostas, Soutter, Francesca, Balzer, Jörg, Carver, Scott, Buch, Jesse S., Tasker, Séverine|||0000-0002-4059-1402
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:223629
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/223629
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1186/s12917-019-2083-6
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Gossos
Leishmaniosi
Ehrlichia canis
Borrelia burgdorferi
Acanthocheilonema reconditum
Vectorborne pathogen
Co-infection
Cyprus
Leishmania infantum
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Dogs that have clinical leishmaniosis (ClinL), caused by the parasite Leishmania infantum, are commonly co-infected with other pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens (VBP). A recent PCR-based study found that ClinL dogs are more likely to be additionally infected with the rickettsial bacteria Ehrlichia canis. Further information on co-infections in ClinL cases with VBP, as assessed by serology, is required. The research described in this report determined if dogs with ClinL are at higher risk of exposure to VBP than healthy control dogs using a case-control serology study. Results: Of the 47 dogs with ClinL, anti-E. canis/Ehrlichia ewingii antibodies were detected in 17 (36.2%), anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys antibodies in 5 (10.6%) and antigen for Dirofilaria immitis in 2 (4.3%). Of the 87 control dogs, anti-E. canis/E. ewingii antibodies were detected in 14 (16.1%) and anti-A. phagocytophilum/A. platys antibodies in 2 (2.3%). No anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibody tests were positive. No statistical differences between the ClinL dogs and control dogs regarding lifestyle or use of ectoparasitic prevention, were identified. The ClinL was significantly associated with anti-E. canis/E. ewingii antibodies (odds ratio = 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-6.7, P = 0.010) compared to controls by both multivariable logistic regression and structural equation modelling. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that an increased risk for E. canis/E. ewingii seropositivity is present in dogs with ClinL compared to clinically healthy control dogs, despite similar ectoparasitic prevention use and lifestyle. Based on these findings it is suggested that dogs with ClinL should not only be tested for E. canis co-infection using PCR but also serologically for E. canis/E. ewingii.