PCR survey of vectorborne pathogens in dogs living in and around Barcelona, an area endemic for leishmaniosis
- M-D. Tabar, DVM1,
- O. Francino, BS, PhD2,
- L. Altet, DVM, PhD2,
- A. Sánchez, BS, PhD2,
- L. Ferrer, DVM, PhD, DECVD1 and
- X. Roura, DVM, PhD, DECVIM3
- 1 Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery
- 2 Molecular Genetics Veterinary Service
- 3 Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Dr Tabar's present address is Hospital Veterinario San Vicente, Cami del Rodalet 17, San Vicente 03690 (Alicante), Spain
- E-mail for correspondence: lolitavet{at}yahoo.es
Abstract
Blood samples from 153 dogs living in and around Barcelona were assayed for Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Hepatozoon, Babesia and Theileria species by PCR amplification of DNA, and the amplicons obtained were sequenced. The prevalence of the infectious agents was L infantum (29·4 per cent), Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species (4·0 per cent), Hepatozoon canis (3·3 per cent), Babesia canis vogeli (2·0 per cent), Babesia gibsoni (2·0 per cent), Babesia canis canis (1·3 per cent) and Theileria annae (0·7 per cent). Coinfections were present in seven of the dogs and they were significantly associated with L infantum infection (P=0·024). There was a significant correlation between clinical signs of illness and the load of L infantum.
- British Veterinary Association. All rights reserved.
