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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Tick-borne diseases found in dogs from Eastern Amazon Brazil

By Spolidorio, Mariana Granziera et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2013·Departamento de Medicina Veterin&#xe1, Brazil·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Serosurvey for tick-borne diseases in dogs from the Eastern Amazon, Brazil.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A study in the Eastern Amazon of Brazil found that many dogs are exposed to tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. Blood samples from 129 dogs showed that 42.6% had antibodies for Babesia canis vogeli, which was more common in urban dogs (59.6%) compared to rural dogs (29.1%). About 16.2% had antibodies for Ehrlichia canis, with similar rates in both urban and rural dogs. Rickettsia species were found more often in rural dogs (40.3%) than in urban ones (21.1%). This highlights the need for pet owners to be aware of tick-borne diseases in their dogs, especially in these regions.

People also search for: dog tick disease symptoms · how to prevent ticks on dogs · treatment for dog ehrlichiosis · babesiosis in dogs · Rickettsia in dogs

Abstract

Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in Brazilian dogs. Few studies have focused attention in surveying tick-borne diseases in the Brazilian Amazon region. A total of 129 blood samples were collected from dogs living in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Seventy-two samples from dogs from rural areas of 19 municipalities and 57 samples from urban stray dogs from Santar&#xe9;m municipality were collected. Serum samples were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with antigens of Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and six Rickettsia species. The frequency of dogs containing anti-B. canis vogeli, anti-E. canis, and anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies was 42.6%, 16.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Anti-B. canis vogeli antibodies were detected in 59.6% of the urban dogs, and in 29.1% of the rural dogs (P < 0.05). For E. canis, seroprevalence was similar among urban (15.7%) and rural (16.6%) dogs. For Rickettsia spp., rural dogs presented significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence (40.3%) than urban animals (21.1%). This first study on tick-borne pathogens in dogs from the Brazilian eastern Amazon indicates that dogs are exposed to several agents, such as Babesia organisms, mostly in the urban area; Spotted Fever group Rickettsia organisms, mostly in the rural area; and Ehrlichia organisms, in dogs from both areas studied.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23802236/