Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from Luanda, Angola. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cardoso, Luís; Oliveira, Ana; Granada, Sara; Nachum-Biala, Yaarit; Gilad, Matan; Lopes, Ana; Sousa, Sérgio; Vilhena, Hugo; Baneth, Gad
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Anaplasma platys -- Angola -- Babesia gibsoni -- Babesia vogeli -- Canine vector-borne diseases -- Dogs -- Ehrlichia canis -- Hepatozoon canis -- Luanda -- Polymerase chain reaction; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1536-z
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background No molecular data have been available on tick-borne pathogens that infect dogs from Angola. The occurrence of agents from the generaAnaplasma, Babesia, Ehrlichia andHepatozoon was assessed in 103 domestic dogs from Luanda, by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis. Results Forty-six dogs (44.7 %) were positive for at least one pathogen. Twenty-one animals (20.4 %) were found infected withAnaplasma platys, 18 (17.5 %) withHepatozoon canis, six (5.8 %) withEhrlichia canis, six (5.8 %) withBabesia vogeli, one (1.0 %) withBabesia gibsoni and one (1.0 %) with an unnamedBabesia sp. The molecular frequency of single infections taken together was 37.9 % and that of co-infections with several combinations of two pathogens accounted for 6.8 % of the animals. Conclusions This is the first report ofA. platys, B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, E. canis andH. canis infections diagnosed by PCR in domestic dogs from Angola. The present study provides evidence that dogs in Luanda are widely exposed to, and at risk of becoming infected with, tick-borne pathogens. Further investigation is needed, including a larger number of animals, canine populations from other cities and provinces of the country, as well as potential vector ticks, aiming at better characterizing and controlling canine vector-borne diseases in Angola.