Dataset Information

Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon felis in cats from Luanda, Angola.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogen infection in cats from Africa is scarce. The presence of bacterial (Anaplasma and Ehrlichia) and protozoal (Babesia and Hepatozoon) agents was investigated in blood samples from 102 domestic cats from Luanda, Angola, by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. RESULTS:Three cats (2.9%) were found infected with Ehrlichia canis, three (2.9%) with Hepatozoon felis and one (1.0%) with Anaplasma bovis. The prevalence of infections with one single agent was 4.9%, and that of infection with two agents (i.e. E. canis and H. felis) was 1.0%. In total, six cats (5.9%) were found infected with at least one of the detected tick-borne agents. CONCLUSIONS:This is the first report of A. bovis, E. canis and H. felis in cats from Angola. To the best of our knowledge, A. bovis is also being reported for the first time in domestic cats outside of Japan. Cats are at a low to moderate risk of being infected with tick-borne agents in Luanda.

SUBMITTER: Oliveira AC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5859530 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon felis in cats from Luanda, Angola.

Oliveira Ana Cristina AC Luz Maria Francisca MF Granada Sara S Vilhena Hugo H Nachum-Biala Yaarit Y Lopes Ana Patrícia AP Cardoso Luís L Baneth Gad G

Parasites & vectors 20180320 1

<h4>Background</h4>Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogen infection in cats from Africa is scarce. The presence of bacterial (Anaplasma and Ehrlichia) and protozoal (Babesia and Hepatozoon) agents was investigated in blood samples from 102 domestic cats from Luanda, Angola, by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.<h4>Results</h4>Three cats (2.9%) were found infected with Ehrlichia canis, three (2.9%) with Hepatozoon felis and one (1.0%) with Anaplasma bovis. The prevalence of in ...[more]

PMID: 29554946

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Project description:Background and aimDog blood parasites are important tick-borne diseases causing morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. Four dog blood parasites species are commonly found in Thailand: Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys. They are transmitted easily by tick species. However, there is little prevalence data available in Thailand. Diseases presentation of blood parasites infection is similar, but the treatment of each species is different. Current diagnosis mainly relies on microscopic examination of a stained blood smear, which has low sensitivity. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is important. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and routine blood smears in the detection of four blood parasites species in dogs from Buriram Province, Thailand.Materials and methodsIn total, 49 EDTA-blood samples were collected from dogs in Buriram Province, Thailand. Blood parasite infection was compared using the Giemsa-stained blood smear technique to identify the parasite under a 100× oil immersion with PCR amplification of the 18S rDNA gene of B. canis and H. canis and the 16S rDNA gene of E. canis and A. platys.ResultsOnly one dog out of 49 was positive for H. canis based on microscopic examination whereas the PCR results showed that 2.04% (1/49), 4.08% (2/49), 36.73% (18/49), and 30.61% (15/49) of dogs were positive for B. canis, H. canis, E. canis, and A. platys, respectively. Moreover, coinfection was found in 16.33% (8/49) of dogs.ConclusionThis study is the first report to demonstrate the molecular prevalence of blood parasites in domestic dogs in Buriram Province. The results indicated that the PCR method exhibited much higher sensitivity and reliability for blood parasites diagnosis in dogs. Therefore, our data support serious concern regarding the diagnostic technique used in routine blood testing and also provide prevalence data for the management and control of blood parasites in this area.

Project description:BackgroundVector-borne diseases are emerging worldwide and have an important zoonotic relevance. In the last few years, the interest in vector-borne pathogens in cats has increased. However, studies on feline vector-borne pathogens on tropical islands are lacking. Islands differ from continental countries because they have an enclosed population of animals, with all year presence of the vectors and, most often, without vector control measures. This study focused on the molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of vector-borne pathogens in autochthonous cats with a mixed indoor-outdoor lifestyle from Maio Island, Cape Verde archipelago.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 80 asymptomatic cats, representing almost a quarter of the total cat population of the island. The presence of DNA of protozoa of the genus Hepatozoon and bacteria belonging to family Anaplasmataceae and to genus Bartonella was assessed by PCR and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with infection. For feline hepatozoonosis, a worldwide dataset of Hepatozoon felis sequences retrieved from mammal species and vectors along with Hepatozoon spp. sequences retrieved from felids was generated, phylogenetically analyzed and the geographical and host distribution was assessed.ResultsHepatozoon felis genotype I was identified in 12 (15%) cats from Maio Island whereas none of the cats were PCR positive for the other pathogens tested. No significant association of H. felis infection with age, sex, location or presence of vectors was observed by statistical analysis in Cape Verde's cats. Phylogenetic analysis on the worldwide dataset of feline Hepatozoon sequences showed two significant distinct clades for H. felis genotype I and II. Different geographical distributions were assessed: H. felis genotype I was the only genotype found in Africa and has been reported worldwide, with the exception of Japan and Brazil where only H. felis genotype II has been reported.ConclusionsThe identification of H. felis genotype I in cats in Maio Island highlights the need to further investigate the significance of H. felis genotypes and to clarify the epidemiological aspects of this infection.

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Dataset Information

Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon felis in cats from Luanda, Angola.

Publications

Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon felis in cats from Luanda, Angola.

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