Occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis and tick-borne infections caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia canis in domestic dogs in France: results of a countrywide serologic survey.
The occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis antigen and antibodies against tick-borne pathogens in French dogs has been analysed based on 1,050 blood samples. Serum samples of 919 dogs (group A) were sent for a variety of diagnostic investigations, further 131 dogs (group B) were tested for a tentative diagnosis of heartworm disease. All samples were tested for D. immitis antigen. Samples in group A were also tested for specific antibodies against three tick-borne pathogens (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia canis). Results were plotted in geographical maps. Occurrence of D. immitis antigen in group A (0.22%; 95 % CI: 0.03-0.78%) was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than in group B (6.87%; 95% CI: 3.19-12.64%). Heartworm infections in both groups were regionally restricted to the areas of Bouches-du-Rhône in the South of France and Corsica. In group A, the calculated seroprevalence was 2.72% (95% CI: 1.77-3.99%) for A. phagocytophilum, 1.09% (95% CI: 0.52-1.99%) for B. burgdorferi and 0.33% (95% CI: 0.07-0.95%) for E. canis with a distribution of the positive cases throughout the country. This study represents the first data of A. phagocytophilum seroprevalence in the French dog population.
Pantchev
Nikola
N
Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Ludwigsburg, Germany. nikola-pantchev@idexx.com
Schaper
Roland
R
Limousin
Sandy
S
Norden
Nina
N
Weise
Miriam
M
Lorentzen
Leif
L
D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005843:Geography; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000947:Antigens, Helminth