Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Protozoan infections spread by bugs in dogs from Northern Algeria
By Medkour, Hacène et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2020·Veterinary Science Institute, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine vector-borne protozoa: Molecular and serological investigation for Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in dogs from Northern Algeria.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in Northern Algeria found that 62% of dogs tested positive for at least one type of blood-borne protozoan infection, including Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Babesia, and Hepatozoon. Among the 227 dogs examined, 35.7% had antibodies for Leishmania, with a higher rate of infection in sick dogs. The research also noted that guard dogs were more likely to be infected, and younger female dogs had a higher prevalence of Babesia. This information is crucial for understanding the health risks these infections pose to dogs and their potential impact on public health.
People also search for: dog blood infection symptoms · Leishmania in dogs treatment · Babesia in puppies · protozoan infections in dogs
Abstract
Dogs are competent reservoirs/hosts of several protozoan pathogens transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods. Throughout their long history of domestication, they have served as a link for the exchange of parasites among livestock, wildlife, and humans and therefore remain an important source of emerging and re-emerging diseases. In Algeria, while canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is well known to be endemic, no data are available on other vector-borne protozoans. Here, we investigate the occurrence and diversity of trypanosomes, piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. and update the epidemiological status of CanL in dogs from Kabylia, northern Algeria. A total of 227 dogs from three regions of Kabylia were enrolled, including 77 dogs with clinical signs. Dogs were clinically examined and were tested for L. infantum antibodies using a Rapid Immuno-Migration (RIM™) and a quantitative indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). PCR screening and sequencing were performed for vector-borne protozoa. Sixty two percent (141/227) of dogs presented at least one infection, whereas 26% (59/227) were co-infected. L. infantum antibodies were detected in 35.7% (81/227) of dogs including 88.7% (68/77) of sick dogs. Molecular investigation revealed prevalence of: 6.6% (15/227), 13.2% (30/227), 41% (93/227) for Trypanosoma spp., B. vogeli and H. canis, respectively. T. evansi (3.1%) and potential new subspecies of T. congolense had been identified. Dog''s clinical status correlates positively with L. infantum antibody titers and the presence of co-infections. Susceptibility to CanL varied according to the dog's aptitude and guard dogs were more infected (51%) (P-value = .001). B. vogeli infection was more frequent in juveniles than adults (32% vs 9%, P-value < .001) and in females than males (21% vs 10%, P-value = .02). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on vector-borne protozoa infected dogs in Algeria. Current results are important not only for animal health, but also to avoid serious public health and livestock problems.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32057382/