Seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys in stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Zinka Maksimović; Muamer Dervišević; Amir Zahirović; Maid Rifatbegović

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101875

Seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys in stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2022 Mar;13(2):101875. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101875. Epub 2021 Dec 3.

Authors

Zinka Maksimović¹, Muamer Dervišević², Amir Zahirović³, Maid Rifatbegović⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Electronic address: zinka.maksimovic@vfs.unsa.ba.
² Veterinary Station "Divet", Stari Ilijaš b.b., Ilijaš, 71380, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
³ Department for Internal Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁴ Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

PMID: 34894522
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101875

Abstract

Stray dogs may be highly exposed to vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), including zoonotic agents, and therefore may pose a high risk of spreading infections to other animals and humans. Among the Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys and Ehrlichia canis are commonly identified species in dogs in Europe; however, information on the occurrence of these pathogens in canine populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in stray dogs in the Sarajevo region of B&H and to identify A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, E. canis and E. ewingii by molecular techniques. A total of 903 blood samples of stray dogs were screened by SNAP 4Dx Plus Test for the presence of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum/A. platys and E. canis/E. ewingii. Real-time PCR assays were performed for the detection of Anaplasmataceae, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, E. canis and E. ewingii in seropositive dogs. Antibodies to A. phagocytophilum/A. platys and/or E. canis/E. ewingii were detected in 187 (20.7%) samples. Seroprevalence was highest for A. phagocytophilum/A. platys (184/903, 20.4%). Two dogs had antibodies to E. canis/E. ewingii, while one dog was found to have antibodies to A. phagocytophilum/A. platys and to E. canis/E. ewingii. Forty-eight (25.7%) of the 187 seropositive dogs examined by Real-time PCR were positive for Anaplasmataceae. A. phagocytophilum was detected in 45 (24%) samples, while one sample was positive for A. phagocytophilum and A. platys. Two samples positive for Anaplasmataceae tested negative in the species-specific PCRs. E. canis or E. ewingii could not be detected in any of the Ehrlichia-seropositive dogs. These findings highlight the need for dog health monitoring, improving the health and welfare of stray dog population, and establishment of effective surveillance systems to combat VBDs.

Keywords: A. platys; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Molecular detection; Seroprevalence; Stray dogs.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anaplasma phagocytophilum* / genetics
Anaplasma phagocytophilum* / isolation & purification
Anaplasmataceae* / genetics
Anaplasmataceae* / isolation & purification
Anaplasmosis* / diagnosis
Anaplasmosis* / microbiology
Animals
Bosnia and Herzegovina / epidemiology
Dog Diseases* / epidemiology
Dog Diseases* / microbiology
Dogs / microbiology
Ehrlichia canis / genetics
Ehrlichia canis / isolation & purification
Ehrlichia* / genetics
Ehrlichia* / isolation & purification
Ehrlichiosis* / diagnosis
Ehrlichiosis* / epidemiology
Ehrlichiosis* / veterinary
Seroepidemiologic Studies

Supplementary concepts

Anaplasma platys