Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Common vector-borne infections found in dogs in Costa Rica
By Wei, Lanjing et al.·Published in Acta parasitologica·2014·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis, Hepatozoon canis, Babesia spp., Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis in dogs on Costa Rica.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in Costa Rica were tested for several infections spread by ticks and mosquitoes, including heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and other diseases like Hepatozoon canis and Babesia. Out of 40 dogs, many were found to be infected with one or more of these pathogens, with the highest rates being for Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis. This study highlights that dogs in tropical areas like Costa Rica are at significant risk for these infections. Pet owners should be aware of these diseases and discuss preventive measures with their veterinarians.
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Abstract
Although vector-borne diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in dogs in tropical areas, there is little information on these conditions in Costa Rica. In PCRs of blood from dogs in Costa Rica, we did not detect DNAs of Rickettsia (R.) felis and Coxiella (C.) burnetii but we did find evidence of infection with Dirofilaria (D.) immitis (9/40, 22.5%), Hepatozoon (H.) canis (15/40, 37.5%), Babesia spp. (10/40, 25%; 2 with B. gibsoni and 8 with B. vogeli), Anaplasma (A.) platys (3/40, 7.5%) and Ehrlichia (E.) canis (20/40, 50%). Nine dogs (22.5%) were free of any vector-borne pathogens while 14 (35%) were infected with a single pathogen, 11 (27.5%) with two, 4 (10%) with three, 1 (2.5%) with four, and 1 (2.5%) with five pathogens. Dogs in Costa Rica are commonly infected with vector-borne agents.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26204016/