Dataset Information

High prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in shelter dogs from southern Louisiana, USA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chagas disease is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The role of dogs as sentinels has been proposed in multiple regions, as they are a domestic reservoir for T. cruzi. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in shelter dogs from southern Louisiana, and assess its magnitude and distribution.

Results

A total of 540 dogs were enrolled, from 20 animal shelters, and tested for T. cruzi infection by serological tests (rapid test, ELISA and western blot) and PCR. We documented a high prevalence of T. cruzi infection with at least 6.9% (95% CI: 5.0-9.3%) seropositive and 15.7% (95% CI: 12.9-19.1%) PCR-positive dogs. Serological tests showed limited agreement, and concordance between serology and PCR was higher when considering reactivity to single serological tests. Trypanosoma cruzi infection was distributed evenly among shelters. Infection was significantly correlated with age (R²?=?0.99), indicating an incidence of new cases of 2.27?±?0.25% per year.

Conclusion

Trypanosoma cruzi infection is a significant and widespread veterinary problem in shelter dogs in the region, although it is mostly unnoticed by health professionals. This highlights the need for greater awareness of T. cruzi infection among the veterinary community and dog owners.

SUBMITTER: Elmayan A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6593594 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

High prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in shelter dogs from southern Louisiana, USA.

Elmayan Ardem A Tu Weihong W Duhon Brandy B Marx Preston P Wolfson Wendy W Balsamo Gary G Herrera Claudia C Dumonteil Eric E

Parasites & vectors 20190625 1

<h4>Background</h4>Chagas disease is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The role of dogs as sentinels has been proposed in multiple regions, as they are a domestic reservoir for T. cruzi. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in shelter dogs from southern Louisiana, and assess its magnitude and distribution.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 540 dogs were enrolled, from 20 animal shelters, and tested for T. cruzi infection by serological ...[more]

PMID: 31238941

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Project description:BackgroundCercopithifilaria bainae is a filarioid nematode of dogs. Infection with the parasite was not reported in the USA until 2017, when a dog with skin lesions in Florida was diagnosed. Brown dog ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), are the purported tick vectors, and are widespread in the USA. Therefore, C. bainae is likely present in additional states. Here, we tested dogs and ticks in Oklahoma for evidence of C. bainae infection.MethodsDermal punch biopsies were opportunistically collected from municipal shelter and client-owned dogs. Multiple skin samples collected from interscapular and head regions were tested by saline sedimentation to recover live microfilariae for morphometric identification and by PCR to amplify a 330 bp region of the filarioid 12S rRNA gene. Also, ticks observed on surveyed dogs were collected, identified to species level, and tested for filarioid DNA.ResultsA total of 496 saline sedimentations were performed on 230 shelter and 20 client-owned dogs. Cercopithifilaria bainae infections were identified in 2.6% (6/230) of shelter dogs by morphometry of microfilariae in sedimentations and/or amplification of DNA from skin. DNA sequences amplified from PCR positive skin samples were 99-100% identical to C. bainae reported in Italy. All skin samples from client-owned dogs were negative for filarioid infection by saline sedimentation and PCR. A total of 112 ticks, comprised of four species, were collected. Two of 72 R. sanguineus (s.l.), both engorged females found attached to a C. bainae infected dog, harbored C. bainae DNA (99-100% identity). One attached R. sanguineus (s.l.) male on the same dog harbored filarioid DNA sequence which was difficult to interpret at numerous base-pair locations, but was closest in identity (~80%) to C. bainae.ConclusionsThe distribution of C. bainae is more widespread than previously known. To our knowledge, we document C. bainae infections in dogs and DNA in brown dog ticks in Oklahoma for the first time. As brown dog ticks are commonly found throughout the USA, veterinarians in this region should consider C. bainae infection as a differential diagnosis in canine patients with dermatitis or polyarthritis.

Dataset Information

High prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in shelter dogs from southern Louisiana, USA.

Background

Results

Conclusion

Publications

High prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in shelter dogs from southern Louisiana, USA.

Similar Datasets

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