Investigation of Arthropods and Their Associated Protozoal and Bacterial Pathogens from Apparently Healthy Dogs and Cats in Four Selected Districts of Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2023
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Dogs and cats are known to host several vector-borne diseases with zoonotic potential; however, little information is available on the epidemiology of these diseases in Ethiopia. The present study aims to investigate the diversity of arthropods and molecular identity of protozoal and bacterial vector-borne diseases in dogs and cats in selected districts of Gamo zone. Cross-sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence of arthropods and vector-borne diseases. Real-time and/or end-point PCR were used to identify vector-borne diseases. A total of 297 dogs and 110 cats were included for ectoparasites and blood samples. Questionnaires were applied for 290 dog and cat owners to obtain information concerning owner’s knowledge about arthropods and vector-borne diseases. The overall prevalence of ticks, fleas and lice in dogs was 36.7%, 69.7% and 4.7%, respectively. Ectoparasite prevalence on dogs was as follows: fleas (Ctenocephalides felis (C. felis) (69.4%), Echidnophaga gallinacea (E. gallinacea) (1.3%), Ctenocephalides canis (C. canis) (1.0%), and Pulex irritans (P. irritans) (0.3%)), ticks (Amblyomma variegatum (A. variegatum) (22.9%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (R. sanguineus) (14.1%), Haemaphysalis leachi (H. leachi) (8.8%), Rhipicephalus praetextatus (R. praetextatus) (4.0%), and Rhipicephalus pulchellus (Rh. pulchellus) (3.4%)), lice (Heterodoxus spiniger (H. spiniger) (4.0%) and Trichodectes canis (T. canis) (0.7%)) were identified. Blood samples were collected from a total of 273 dogs and then analyzed by real-time and/or end-point PCR for VBDs. The results of the study showed that Hepatozoon canis (H. canis) was the most prevalent pathogen (53.8%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocythophilum) (7.0%), Babesia canis rossi (B. canis rossi) (3.3%), Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) (2.6%) and Anaplasma platys (A. platys) (2.2%). Furthermore, five samples tested positive for Borrelia spp., identified as B. afzelii (n = 3) and B. burgdorferi (n = 2), and two samples for Rickettsia spp., identified as R. conorii (n = 1) and R. monacensis (n = 1). On cats the prevalence of ticks was 2.7% and fleas was 21.8%. Fleas (C. felis (15.5%), and E. gallinacea (7.3%)) tick (H. leachi (2.7%)) was identified from cats. In cats, among Hepatozoon spp., H. felis (n=24; 21.8%) is the more widespread pathogen followed by H. ingwe (n=7; 6.4%), H. lluiperdije (n=7; 6.4%) and H. canis (n=1; 0.9%). Babesia leo (n=1; 0.9%) was identified from one cat. Eight cats were positive for bacterial pathogens, specifically Bartonella spp., (n=2; 1.8%) and Rickettsia spp., (n=6; 5.5%). All cats were negative for Cytauxzoon spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Borrelia spp. Abundance of C. felis, in dogs was significantly higher (p<0.001), while E. gallinacea was significantly more abundant in cats (p=0.002). Ectoparasite occurrence on dogs varied with different factors. A high prevalence of tick infestation was recorded in urban areas (p=0.020) and in lowlands (p<0.001). Nevertheless, the prevalence of A. variegatum in rural area and midland agroecology was significantly higher (p<0.001). Rhipicephalus Sanguineus prevalence was higher in urban areas (<0.001) and in dogs which lives in indoor environment (p=0.003). H. leachi prevalence was significantly higher in midland (p<0.001) and on adult dogs (p=0.001). Fleas are more prevalent in rural (p=0.029) areas compared to urban areas and females was slightly higher infested by fleas than male (p=0.047) dogs. C. felis was more prevalent in female (p=0.038) dogs than males. Around 88.3% owners in the study area had no knowledge about arthropods and VBDs. Majority of the owners (64.8%) never visited veterinary clinics. The findings of A. phagocythophilum and different species of the genera Borrelia and Rickettsia with zoonotic potential from dogs was unexpected and alarming, and calls for further investigation on the roles of dogs and on the tick species acting as vector in this specific context. Other pathogens (H. canis, B. canis rossi, A. platys, and E. canis) are already known to have an important impact on the dogs’ health but have minor zoonotic potential as they were rarely or never reported in humans. Dogs from rural areas were found to be at higher risk for different pathogens, probably due to the presence of other wild canids in the same environment. Moreover, most of the pathogens reported in the studied cat population were identified for the first time in the country. In conclusion, the findings of the present study contribute to a better knowledge of dog and cat ectoparasites and on the epidemiology of associated vector-borne pathogens, in most cases relevant to human and animal health. Therefore, the data presented in this study are important for building new knowledge and this give rise to awareness creation and strengthening veterinary services for companion animals.
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Keywords
Flea, Tick, Lice, vector-borne diseases, Dogs, Cats, Gamo zone, Ethiopia