Exposure to vector-borne pathogens in candidate blood donor and free-roaming dogs of northeast Italy. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vascellari, Marta; Ravagnan, Silvia; Carminato, Antonio; Cazzin, Stefania; Carli, Erika; Da Rold, Graziana; Lucchese, Laura; Natale, Alda; Otranto, Domenico; Capelli, Gioia
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Vector-borne pathogens -- Canine blood donors -- Free-roaming dogs -- Exposure -- IFAT -- Real-time PCR -- Italy; 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/s13071-016-1639-6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Many vector-borne pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes occur in northeast Italy, representing a potential threat to animal and human populations. Little information is available on the circulation of the above vector-borne pathogens in dogs. This work aims to (i) assess exposure to and circulation of pathogens transmitted to dogs in northeast Italy by ticks, sandflies, and mosquitoes, and (ii) drive blood donor screening at the newly established canine blood bank of theIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie . Methods Blood samples from 150 privately-owned canine candidate blood donors and 338 free-roaming dogs were screened by serology (IFA forLeishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocythophilum, Babesia canis, Rickettsia conorii, R. rickettsii ), microscopic blood smear examination, and blood filtration forDirofilaria spp. All candidate donors and seropositive free-roaming dogs were tested by PCR forL. infantum, E. canis, A. phagocythophilum, Babesia/Theileria andRickettsia spp. The dogs had no clinical signs at the time of sampling. Results Overall, 40 candidate donors (26.7 %) and 108 free-roaming dogs (32 %) were seroreactive to at least one vector-borne pathogen. Seroprevalence in candidate donorsvs free-roaming dogs was:Leishmania infantum 6.7vs 7.1 %;Anaplasma phagocytophilum 4.7vs 3.3 %;Babesia canis 1.3vs 2.7 %;Ehrlichia canis nonevs 0.9 %;Rickettsia conorii 16vs 21.3 % andR. rickettsii 11vs 14.3 %. Seroreactivity toR. rickettsii, which is not reported in Italy, is likely a cross-reaction with other rickettsiae. Filariae, asDirofilaria immitis (n = 19) andD. repens (n = 2), were identified in free-roaming dogs only. No significant differences were observed between candidate donors and free-roaming dogs either in the overall seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens or for each individual pathogen. All PCRs and smears performed on blood were negative. Conclusions This study demonstrated that dogs are considerably exposed to vector-borne pathogens in northeast Italy. Although the dog owners reported regularly using ectoparasiticides against fleas and ticks, their dogs had similar exposure to vector-borne pathogens as free-roaming dogs. This prompts the need to improve owner education on the use of insecticidal and repellent compounds in order to reduce the risk of arthropod bites and exposure to vector-borne pathogens. Based on the absence of pathogens circulating in the blood of healthy dogs, the risk of transmission of these pathogens by blood transfusion seems to be low, depending also on the sensitivity of the tests used for screening.