Author(s): Afonso, Paulo ; Lopes, Ana Patrícia ; Quintas, Helder ; Cardoso, Luís Miguel ; Coelho, Ana Cláudia
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/29747
Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
Project/scholarship: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F00772%2F2020/PT; info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/LA%2FP%2F0059%2F2020/PT;
Subject(s): Canine tick-borne diseases; Ehrlichia canis; Portugal; Rickettsia conorii; Shelter; Zoonosis
A cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to Ehrlichia canis were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to Rickettsia conorii 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 E. canis and 9.7 (95% CI: 5.5-16.6%) for R. conorii were found. Multiple logistic regression investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds ratios (ORs) of R. conorii seropositivity were higher for female dogs (OR = 6.429; 95% CI: 1.201-34.407). Dogs seropositive for co-infection (E. canis + R. conorii) 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 E. canis and R. conorii, 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.
This work was supported by projects UIDB/00772/2020 (doi: 10.54499/UIDB/00772/2020) and LA/P/0059/2020, which were funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
