title: Vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Costa Rica: first molecular description of Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon canis infections with a high prevalence of monocytic ehrlichiosis and the manifestations of co-infection.
abstract: Infection with canine vector-borne pathogens was evaluated in dogs from four different regions of Costa Rica by PCR. Demographic data, clinical signs, packed cell volume values, and the presence of tick infestation were recorded for each dog. Forty seven percent (69/146) of the dogs were infected with at least one pathogen and 12% were co-infected with two pathogens. Ehrlichia canis was detected in 34%, Anaplasma platys in 10%, Babesia vogeli in 8%, and Hepatozoon canis in 7.5% of the blood samples. No infection was detected with Leishmania spp. in blood, skin scrapings or conjunctival swabs. Thirty percent of the dogs presented at least one clinical sign compatible with vector-borne disease, and of those, 66% were infected with a pathogen. Subclinical infections were determined in 58% of the infected dogs including 82% (9/11), 58% (29/50), 42% (5/12) and 36% (5/14) of the dogs with H. canis, E. canis, B. vogeli and A. platys infections, respectively. A distinct relationship was found between infection and anemia. The mean PCV values were 34.4% in dogs with no infection, 31.5% in those who had a single infection and 23% in those with co-infection. Co-infected dogs had significantly lower PCV values compared to non-infected and single-infected dogs (p<0.0001). Thirty five percent (51/146) of the dogs were infested with ticks, 82% of them were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and 18% with Amblyomma ovale. Dogs infected with A. platys, B. vogeli, or E. canis were significantly associated with R. sanguineus s.l. infestation (p<0.029). This is the first description of infections with B. vogeli and H. canis in Costa Rica as well as in Central America. The results of this study indicate that multiple vector-borne pathogens responsible for severe diseases infect dogs in Costa Rica and therefore, increased owner and veterinarian awareness are needed. Moreover, prevention of tick infestation is recommended to decrease the threat of these diseases to the canine population.
authors: Departamento de Parasitología, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, P.O. Box 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica. Electronic address: anaalicia.rojas@ucr.ac.cr.
authors: Alicia
authors: A
authors: Rojas
authors: Departamento de Parasitología, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, P.O. Box 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Rojas
authors: Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, P.O. Box 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.
authors: Víctor
authors: V
authors: Montenegro
authors: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Yasur-Landau
authors: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors: Gad
authors: G
authors: Baneth
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000709:Anaplasma / Q000235:genetics; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000235:genetics; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003044:Coccidia / Q000235:genetics; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003364:Costa Rica / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000235:genetics; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Amblyomma ovale; Babesia vogeli; Costa Rica; Ehrlichia canis; Hepatozoon canis; Rhipicephalus sanguineus