<i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health
A cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to <i...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/2/129 |
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| author | Paulo Afonso Ana Patrícia Lopes Hélder Quintas Luís Cardoso Ana Cláudia Coelho |
| author_facet | Paulo Afonso Ana Patrícia Lopes Hélder Quintas Luís Cardoso Ana Cláudia Coelho |
| author_sort | Paulo Afonso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> were analysed using a commercial indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A total of 113 dogs from two different shelters were sampled, and seroprevalence values of 0.9% (95% confidence (CI): 0.2–4.8%) for <i>E. canis</i> and 9.7 (95% CI: 5.5–16.6%) for <i>R. conorii</i> were found. Multiple logistic regression investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds ratios (ORs) of <i>R. conorii</i> seropositivity were higher for female dogs (OR = 6.429; 95% CI: 1.201–34.407). Dogs seropositive for co-infection (<i>E. canis</i> + <i>R. conorii</i>) were more frequently observed among females (OR = 7.606; CI 95%: 1.478–39.132) and in Shelter 2 (OR = 18.229; 95% CI: 2.190–151.756). These findings show that shelter dogs in northern Portugal are exposed to <i>E. canis</i> and <i>R. conorii</i>, which can affect both canines and humans. It is imperative to adopt a One Health approach to educate the public about the hazards of canine zoonoses and develop legislation and procedures to control their spread and preserve public health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:18:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4061048a58ac448ca46b5e51d7f73c5a |
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| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:18:37Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-4061048a58ac448ca46b5e51d7f73c5a2024-02-23T15:30:17ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172024-01-0113212910.3390/pathogens13020129<i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public HealthPaulo Afonso0Ana Patrícia Lopes1Hélder Quintas2Luís Cardoso3Ana Cláudia Coelho4CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalCECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalInstituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalCECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalCECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, PortugalA cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> were analysed using a commercial indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A total of 113 dogs from two different shelters were sampled, and seroprevalence values of 0.9% (95% confidence (CI): 0.2–4.8%) for <i>E. canis</i> and 9.7 (95% CI: 5.5–16.6%) for <i>R. conorii</i> were found. Multiple logistic regression investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds ratios (ORs) of <i>R. conorii</i> seropositivity were higher for female dogs (OR = 6.429; 95% CI: 1.201–34.407). Dogs seropositive for co-infection (<i>E. canis</i> + <i>R. conorii</i>) were more frequently observed among females (OR = 7.606; CI 95%: 1.478–39.132) and in Shelter 2 (OR = 18.229; 95% CI: 2.190–151.756). These findings show that shelter dogs in northern Portugal are exposed to <i>E. canis</i> and <i>R. conorii</i>, which can affect both canines and humans. It is imperative to adopt a One Health approach to educate the public about the hazards of canine zoonoses and develop legislation and procedures to control their spread and preserve public health.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/2/129canine tick-borne diseases<i>Ehrlichia canis</i>Portugal<i>Rickettsia conorii</i>shelterzoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Paulo Afonso Ana Patrícia Lopes Hélder Quintas Luís Cardoso Ana Cláudia Coelho <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health Pathogens canine tick-borne diseases <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> Portugal <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> shelter zoonosis |
| title | <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health |
| title_full | <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health |
| title_fullStr | <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health |
| title_short | <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public Health |
| title_sort | i ehrlichia canis i and i rickettsia conorii i infections in shelter dogs seropositivity and implications for public health |
| topic | canine tick-borne diseases <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> Portugal <i>Rickettsia conorii</i> shelter zoonosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/2/129 |
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