Cited by 57Vector-borne infectious diseasesResearch on Leishmaniasis StudiesBartonella species infections research

Prevalence and Geographic Distribution of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Apparently Healthy Dogs in Croatia

Mrljak, Vladimir, Kuleš, Josipa, Mihaljević, Željko, Torti, Marin, Gotić, Jelena, Crnogaj, Martina, Živičnjak, Tatjana, Mayer, Iva +3 more·2017·Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Abstract

Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a group of globally extended and quickly spreading pathogens that are transmitted by various arthropod vectors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence against Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, and Ehrlichia canis in dogs in Croatia. We investigated 435 randomly selected apparently healthy dogs in 13 different locations of Croatia for antibodies to B. canis by indirect immunofluorescence using a commercial IFA IgG Antibody Kit. All samples were also tested for qualitative detection of D. immitis antigen and for antibodies to A. phagocytophilum, B. burgdorferi sensu lato, L. infantum, and E. canis with two point-of-care assays. Overall, 112 dogs (25.74%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 21.70-30.12) were serologically positive for one or more of the pathogens. B. canis was the most prevalent pathogen (20.00%, 95% CI 16.34-24.07), followed by A. phagocytophilum (6.21%, 95% CI 4.12-8.90), L. infantum, (1.38%, 95% CI 0.51-2.97), and B. burgdorferi sensu lato (0.69%, 95% CI 0.01-2.00). The lowest seroprevalence was for D. immitis and E. canis (0.46%, 95% CI 0.01-1.65). Coinfection was determined in 12 dogs (2.76%, 95% CI 1.43-4.77), of which 10 were positive to two pathogens (7 with B. canis and A. phagocytophilum and 1 B. canis with B. burgdorferi sensu lato or L. infantum or E. canis). One dog was positive to three pathogens and another dog to four pathogens. Seroprevalence for babesia was age, breed, and lifestyle/use dependent. Purebred dogs had almost half the chance of developing disease than crossbred (OR = 0.58, p < 0.026, 95% CI 0.37-0.94). Seropositivity to B. canis was 3.41 times higher for dogs that lived outdoors/shelter (p < 0.006) or 4.57 times higher in mixed/hunting (p < 0.001) compared to indoor/companion dogs. This is the first comprehensive survey of VBP seropositivity conducted in Croatia. Some of these VBPs are zoonotic and represent a potential risk to public health.

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Crossref · 10.1089/vbz.2016.1990

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  • Serbia and Croatia are considered endemic countries, and in Croatia no increases in canine heartworm prevalence are reported, ranging from 0.46-0.6% in published studies.

    “Serbia and Croatia are considered endemic countries. In the latter, there are not reported increases in the prevalence, ranging from 0.46–0.6% in the published studies [66,67].”

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Authors
Mrljak, V., Kuleš, J., Mihaljević, Ž., Torti, M., Gotić, J., Crnogaj, M., Živičnjak, T., Mayer, I., Šmit, I., Bhide, M., & Barić Rafaj, R.
Affiliations
  • University of Zagreb (HR)
  • Croatian Veterinary Institute (HR)
  • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Corresponding author
Mrljak, Vladimir
Venue
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Published
2017-06
Volume
17
Issue
6
Pages
398-408
ISSN
  • 1530-3667 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7759
OpenAlex
W2610816360
Cited by
57
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2
FWCI
3.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
European Commission
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Vector-borne infectious diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Bartonella species infections research
Keywords
vector-borne pathogens, dogs, seroprevalence, Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis, co-infection, geographic distribution, Croatia, canine babesiosis, canine anaplasmosis, canine leishmaniasis, canine heartworm disease, canine ehrlichiosis, point-of-care testing, indirect immunofluorescence, tick-borne diseases
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Bacterial Infections, Dirofilariasis, Disease Vectors, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Female, Leishmaniasis, Visceral, Male, Risk Factors, Prevalence, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Croatia, Leishmania infantum, Coinfection

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