AUTHOR=Springer Andrea , Montenegro Víctor M. , Schicht Sabine , Globokar Vrohvec Majda , Pantchev Nikola , Balzer Jörg , Strube Christina 

TITLE=Seroprevalence and Current Infections of Canine Vector-Borne Diseases in Costa Rica

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00164

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2019.00164

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Domestic dogs may carry several vector-borne pathogens, including zoonotic agents, especially in tropical regions like Central America. The epidemiology of these pathogens is prone to change due to urbanization, trade and travel as well as climate change, necessitating repeated monitoring. This study aims to present a comprehensive picture of canine vector-borne diseases in Costa Rica, combining data on seroprevalence with molecular species identification of the causative pathogens. In this survey, 294 dogs from all seven provinces of Costa Rica were included. After a clinical examination, diagnostic blood samples were analyzed with regard to packed cell volume (PCV) and presence of microfilaria. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against <italic>Ehrlichia</italic> spp., <italic>Anaplasma</italic> spp., <italic>Babesia</italic> spp., <italic>Borrelia burgdorferi</italic> sensu lato (s.l.) as well as antigen of <italic>Dirofilaria immitis</italic>. Seropositive and microfilaremic blood samples were analyzed by PCR to detect current infections and identify the pathogen species. Overall, 45.24% (133/294, 95% CI: 39.45–51.11%) of dogs were seropositive for at least one of the tested pathogens. Seroprevalence was highest for <italic>Ehrlichia</italic> spp. (39.46%, 116/294, 95% CI: 33.83–45.29%), followed by <italic>Babesia</italic> spp. (23.13%, 68/294, 95% CI: 18.43–28.38%), <italic>Anaplasma</italic> spp. (13.27%, 39/294, 95% CI: 9.61–17.69%), and <italic>B. burgdorferi</italic> s.l. (0.34%, 1/294, 95% CI: 0.01–1.88%). Generalized linear mixed models indicated a significant association of <italic>Ehrlichia</italic>-, <italic>Anaplasma</italic>- and <italic>Babesia</italic>-seropositivity, as well as a significant effect of age and breed on <italic>Ehrlichia</italic>-seropositivity. Furthermore, a statistically significant negative effect of <italic>Ehrlichia</italic>-, <italic>Anaplasma</italic>-, and <italic>Babesia</italic>-seropositivity on PCV was found. Regarding current infections, <italic>Ehrlichia canis</italic> DNA was detected in 51.72% (60/116, 95% CI: 42.26–61.10%) of <italic>Ehrlichia</italic>-seropositive dogs, while <italic>Ehrlichia ewingii</italic> and <italic>Ehrlichia chaffeensis</italic> were not detected. Furthermore, 10.26% (4/39, 95% CI: 2.87–24.22%) of <italic>Anaplasma</italic>-seropositive dogs were coinfected with <italic>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</italic> and <italic>Anaplasma platys</italic>, while one animal (2.56%, 95% CI: 0.65–13.48%) was infected with <italic>A. phagocytophilum</italic> only. Among <italic>Babesia</italic>-seropositive dogs, <italic>Babesia vogeli</italic> and <italic>Hepatozoon canis</italic> were detected in one animal each (1.47%, 1/68, 95% CI: 0.04–7.92%). <italic>Dirofilaria immitis</italic> antigen was detected in 4.42% (13/294, 95% CI: 2.38–7.44%) of dogs. In microfilaremic animals, <italic>D. immitis</italic> as well as <italic>Acanthocheilonema reconditum</italic> infections were identified. This survey demonstrates that canine vector-borne pathogens, including zoonotic agents like <italic>A. phagocytophilum</italic> and <italic>D. immitis</italic>, are widespread in Costa Rica. Thus, protection of dogs from disease-transmitting vectors is recommended from an animal welfare as well as public health perspective.</p>