Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma in Swedish deer horses cats
By Elfving, Karin et al.·Published in Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)·2015·1 Department of Medical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serologic and Molecular Prevalence of Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wild Cervids and Domestic Mammals in the Central Parts of Sweden.
- Species:
- wildlife
Plain-English summary
A study found that 17% of dogs in central Sweden tested positive for Rickettsia helvetica, a bacteria carried by ticks that can cause illness. Along with dogs, cats, horses, and wild deer were also tested, with varying rates of exposure. The research indicates that these animals are commonly exposed to this bacteria, which can be transmitted through tick bites. While the exact health effects on pets were not detailed, it's important for pet owners to be aware of tick prevention measures to protect their animals.
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Abstract
Both Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are common in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Sweden. Knowledge is limited regarding different animal species' competence to act as reservoirs for these organism. For this reason, blood samples were collected from wild cervids (roe deer, moose) and domestic mammals (horse, cat, dog) in central Sweden, and sera were tested using immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against spotted fever rickettsiae using Rickettsia helvetica as antigen. Sera with a titer ≥1:64 were considered as positive, and 23.1% (104/450) of the animals scored positive. The prevalence of seropositivity was 21.5% (23/107) in roe deer, 23.3% (21/90) in moose, 36.5% (23/63) in horses, 22.1% (19/90) in cats, and 17.0% (17/100) in dogs. PCR analysis of 113 spleen samples from moose and sheep from the corresponding areas were all negative for rickettsial DNA. In roe deer, 85% (91/107) also tested seropositive for A. phagocytophilum with a titer cutoff of 1:128. The findings indicate that the surveyed animal species are commonly exposed to rickettsiae and roe deer also to A. phagocytophilum.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26378972/