We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Exposure to Major Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs Subjected to Different Preventative Regimens in Endemic Areas of Italy.
- Authors
Colombo, Mariasole; Morelli, Simone; Simonato, Giulia; Di Cesare, Angela; Veronesi, Fabrizia; Frangipane di Regalbono, Antonio; Grassi, Laura; Russi, Ilaria; Tiscar, Pietro Giorgio; Morganti, Giulia; Hattab, Jasmine; Rizzo, Valeria; Traversa, Donato; Sparagano, Olivier
- Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are globally widespread arthropod-transmitted diseases with a significant impact on animal and human health. Many drivers have recently spurred the geographic spread of VBDs in dogs. This study has evaluated the exposure to most important VBDs in dogs under different preventative treatments in different regions of Italy, i.e., Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Giglio Island (Tuscany), Abruzzo and Latium. Serological analyses were performed to detect antibodies against Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis/Ehrlichia ewingii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia conorii and the circulating antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. Dogs were categorized according to the treatment schedule usually received, and the association between seropositivity and possible risk factors was statistically evaluated. Overall, 124/242 (51.2%) dogs tested positive for at least one pathogen, while 34 (14.0%) were exposed to two or more pathogens. The most detected seropositivity was against R. conorii, followed by Anaplasma spp., L. infantum, B. canis, and the other pathogens under study. Significant statistical associations were found according to geographical provenance, history of tick infestation, lifestyle and inadequate prophylactic treatments. Random/irregular treatments have been identified as a clear risk factor. These results show that adequate prophylactic treatment protocols are overlooked by dog owners, despite the availability of several effective products, with possible implications in veterinary medicine and on public health.
- Subjects
ITALY; VECTOR-borne diseases; DOG diseases; DIROFILARIA immitis; VETERINARY public health; ANAPLASMA phagocytophilum; DOG owners
- Publication
Pathogens, 2021, Vol 10, Issue 5, p507
- ISSN
2076-0817
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/pathogens10050507