Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Trypanosoma cruzi infection detected by PCR in Chilean dogs and ticks
By Opazo, A et al.·Published in Medical and veterinary entomology·2022·Universidad Andres Bello·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection by PCR in Canis lupus familiaris and their ectoparasites in Chile.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in rural Central Chile was tested for a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease. Blood samples showed that 57% of the dogs were infected, and some of them had heart issues, but the risk of these heart problems was similar to non-infected dogs. The study also found that ticks from these dogs tested positive for the parasite, suggesting that they could indicate infection. To help protect dogs and reduce the spread of this parasite, regular treatment for ticks and fleas is recommended, although this practice is not common in rural areas.
People also search for: dog Chagas disease symptoms · ticks and fleas treatment for dogs · heart problems in dogs · Trypanosoma cruzi in pets
Abstract
Chronic Chagas disease affects humans and animals, involving rural and urban inhabitants. Dogs participate in the maintenance and transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of T. cruzi in dogs and their ticks and fleas, in a rural area of Central Chile. Trypanosoma cruzi was detected by PCR both in dogs and ectoparasites. From the blood samples obtained, 57% were infected by T. cruzi, 5.4% of the ticks detected were positive, and all fleas were negative. Additionally, we performed electrocardiograms and found supraventricular arrhythmia in 44% of T. cruzi-positive dogs. Nevertheless, their risk for supraventricular arrhythmias was not higher in infected versus noninfected dogs. Considering the detected infection levels, dogs act as T. cruzi hosts in Central Chile, and ticks could be used as an indicator of infection when blood samples are not available. However, at this point, there is no indication that these ticks could pass on the parasite to another host. Periodic ectoparasitic treatment of pets should reduce the chance of vectorial transmission of T. cruzi and improve canine health; however, this is an uncommon practice among rural communities, so governmental programs are encouraged to tackle this problem.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34716716/