Serological survey of canine vector-borne diseases in two animal shelters in central Peninsular Malaysia

In this study, a total of 103 dog blood samples were collected from two animal shelters in central Peninsular Malaysia and tested for the antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and the antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. Of the 103 tested dogs, 44.7% (46) were found to be seropositive for Ehrlichia spp., 30.1% (31) for Anaplasma spp. and 13.6% (14) for D. immitis. Co-infections of Anaplasma spp. + Ehrlichia spp. (18.5%, 19) were most prevalent, followed by Anaplasma spp. + D. immitis (1.9%; two) and D. immitis + Ehrlichia spp. (1.0%; one). Furthermore, three dogs (2.9%) were also found to have triple infection, testing seropositive for Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and D. immitis. The dogs which were found to be seropositive with at least one pathogen were 66.7% (32/51) at shelter A, and 55.8% (29/52) at shelter B. Serological evidence showed that the exposure of major vector-borne diseases in dogs in shelters was relatively high in the surveyed areas. Routine detection and control of vector-borne diseases are of paramount importance for reducing the risk of CVBDs transmission in dogs and humans.PMID:33797538 | DOI:10.47665/tb.38.1.025
Source: Tropical Biomedicine - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research