Prevalence, diagnostic evaluation, and disease associations of vector-borne pathogens in domestic dogs across Namibia: a multi-modal approach
Rattachement africain : Namibie, Afrique du Sud, it. Niveau de preuve : code pays fourni par la source.
Le résumé fourni par la source
BACKGROUND: Due to limited documentation on vector-borne pathogens of companion animals in Namibia, a country-wide, multi-site field study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of these pathogens in domestic dogs. METHODS: Samples of whole blood and serum from 375 dogs in 15 towns across eight regions were analysed. Vector-borne pathogens were screened by light microscopic examination of blood smears, point-of-care serology, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Haematology and serum biochemistry analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Plus Test provided 64% seropositive results, comprising Ehrlichia species (59%), Anaplasma species (45%), Dirofilaria immitis (2%), and Borrelia burgdorferi (< 1%). Altogether, prevalence as determined by probe-based qPCR assays was 54%, comprising Ehrlichia canis (27%), Hepatozoon canis (25%), Anaplasma species (13%), and Babesia vogeli (8%). Light microscopy yielded the least number of positives, indicating a collective positive result of only 11% in screening for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Hepatozoon, Babesia, and microfilaria species. On the whole, Kunene and Otjozondjupa regions showed the highest pathogen prevalence (75%), and the lowest was from Erongo region (38%), on qPCR testing. Significant associations between tick presence and infection by E. canis (P = 0.001), Anaplasma species (P = 0.006), and B. vogeli (P = 0.008) were demonstrated. Likewise, relevant associations between haemoparasite infection and variables of patient signalment, history, and various disease manifestations were shown. Finally, significant associations were found between pathogen infection and numerous clinical pathology abnormalities of the erythron, leukon, and thrombon, including thrombocytopenia (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic modalities should be used contextually to test for canine pathogens, with due consideration of the limitations. Appropriate diagnostic testing such as qPCR, guided by relevant known associations with disease manifestation, should guide responsible treatment strategies and identify potential zoonotic risks in pets.
Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.
Le contrôle bibliographique ouvert
DOI retrouvé dans Crossref DOI retrouvé ; titre concordant.
- Titre Crossref
- Prevalence, diagnostic evaluation, and disease associations of vector-borne pathogens in domestic dogs across Namibia: a multi-modal approach
- Date Crossref
- 10/07/2025
- Éditeur
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Type
- journal-article
Ce recoupement confirme des métadonnées liées au DOI. Il ne confirme ni la méthode ni les conclusions de l’étude, et il ne compte pas comme une seconde source scientifique indépendante.
Où se fait cette recherche
-
University of Namibia Namibie (code pays fourni par la source)Université ou école supérieure
-
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital Afrique du Sud (code pays fourni par la source)Établissement de santé
-
University of Pretoria University of Pretoria, Afrique du Sud (code pays fourni par la source)Université ou école supérieure
-
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Afrique du Sud (code pays fourni par la source)Structure de recherche
-
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale pays non établi dans la noticeStructure de recherche
-
National Art Gallery of Namibia Namibie (code pays fourni par la source)Institution
-
Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies Windhoek, Namibie (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Université ou école supérieure
-
Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases University of Pretoria, Afrique du Sud (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Université ou école supérieure
-
Central Veterinary Laboratory Windhoek, Namibie (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Structure de recherche
-
Rhino Park Veterinary Clinic Windhoek, Namibie (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Établissement de santé
-
Vaccine and Diagnostic Development Programme Afrique du Sud (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Institution
-
SPCA Windhoek SPCA Windhoek, Namibie (pays nommé en fin d’affiliation)Institution
University of Namibia (Namibie), Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (Afrique du Sud) et University of Pretoria (University of Pretoria, Afrique du Sud), avec 9 autres affiliations. Pays d’affiliation : Namibie, Afrique du Sud.
Une affiliation ne permet pas de déduire la nationalité d’un auteur.