The increasing recognition of rickettsial pathogens in dogs and people.
Dogs and people are exposed to and susceptible to infection by many of the same tick-borne bacterial pathogens in the order Rickettsiales, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Rickettsia rickettsii, R. conorii, and other spotted fever group rickettsiae. Recent findings include descriptions of novel Ehrlichia and Rickettsia species, recognition of the occurrence and clinical significance of co-infection, and increasing awareness of Rhipicephalus sanguineus-associated diseases. Newer molecular assays are available, although renewed efforts to encourage their use are needed. This review highlights the ecology and epidemiology of these diseases, and proposes avenues for future investigation.
Nicholson
William L
WL
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Allen
Kelly E
KE
McQuiston
Jennifer H
JH
Breitschwerdt
Edward B
EB
Little
Susan E
SE
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses