| Sumario: |
Domestic dogs may carry several vector-borne pathogens, including zoonotic agents,
especially in tropical regions like Central America. The epidemiology of these pathogens
is prone to change due to urbanization, trade and travel as well as climate change,
necessitating repeated monitoring. This study aims to present a comprehensive picture
of canine vector-borne diseases in Costa Rica, combining data on seroprevalence with
molecular species identification of the causative pathogens. In this survey, 294 dogs
from all seven provinces of Costa Rica were included. After a clinical examination,
diagnostic blood samples were analyzed with regard to packed cell volume (PCV) and
presence of microfilaria. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against Ehrlichia
spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) as well
as antigen of Dirofilaria immitis. Seropositive and microfilaremic blood samples were
analyzed by PCR to detect current infections and identify the pathogen species. Overall,
45.24% (133/294, 95% CI: 39.45–51.11%) of dogs were seropositive for at least
one of the tested pathogens. Seroprevalence was highest for Ehrlichia spp. (39.46%,
116/294, 95% CI: 33.83–45.29%), followed by Babesia spp. (23.13%, 68/294, 95%
CI: 18.43–28.38%), Anaplasma spp. (13.27%, 39/294, 95% CI: 9.61–17.69%), and
B. burgdorferi s.l. (0.34%, 1/294, 95% CI: 0.01–1.88%). Generalized linear mixed
models indicated a significant association of Ehrlichia-, Anaplasma- and Babesiaseropositivity, as well as a significant effect of age and breed on Ehrlichia-seropositivity.
Furthermore, a statistically significant negative effect of Ehrlichia-, Anaplasma-, and
Babesia-seropositivity on PCV was found. Regarding current infections, Ehrlichia canis
DNA was detected in 51.72% (60/116, 95% CI: 42.26–61.10%) of Ehrlichia-seropositive
dogs, while Ehrlichia ewingii and Ehrlichia chaffeensis were not detected. Furthermore,
10.26% (4/39, 95% CI: 2.87–24.22%) of Anaplasma-seropositive dogs were coinfected
with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys, while one animal (2.56%,
95% CI: 0.65–13.48%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum only. Among Babesiaseropositive dogs, Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon canis were detected in one animal
each (1.47%, 1/68, 95% CI: 0.04–7.92%). Dirofilaria immitis antigen was detected in 4.42% (13/294, 95% CI: 2.38–7.44%) of dogs. In microfilaremic animals, D.
immitis as well as Acanthocheilonema reconditum infections were identified. This survey
demonstrates that canine vector-borne pathogens, including zoonotic agents like A.
phagocytophilum and D. immitis, are widespread in Costa Rica. Thus, protection of dogs
from disease-transmitting vectors is recommended from an animal welfare as well as
public health perspective.
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