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Zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) in different types of dogs

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Abstract

Dogs can carry and share zoonotic pathogens with humans. This problem is understudied in different parts of the world, including Jordan. This study determined the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Dirofilaria immitis, and Borrelia burgdorferi using the SNAP 4Dx Plus test and spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) using enzyme immunoassay IgG test in different types of dogs (farm/breeding, police, and stray) in Jordan. The results showed a very high seroprevalence (87%) of SFGR in dogs all over Jordan. Specifically, the seroprevalence was 97.0, 90.5 and 71.2% in farm, stray, and police dogs, respectively. Overall, 9.9% of dogs were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum. Specifically, 14.9% of farm, 14.3% of stray, and 0% of police dogs were seropositive. None of the studied dogs had D. immitis, E. canis, or B. burgdorferi. It can be concluded that SFGR and A. phagocytophilum are endemic in Jordan. This study suggests that controlling stray dogs and monitoring dog breeding farms should be considered as control measures to limit the transmission of SFGR and A. phagocytophilum and to limit their public health impact in Jordan. Moreover, further follow-up studies are needed to study these pathogens in the human population in Jordan.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Deanship of Research at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (Project 100/2015). The authors acknowledge Alaa E. Bani Salman and Amany K. Rashaideh for their support in implementing this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

    Mohammad M. Obaidat

  2. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

    Musa A. Alshehabat

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  1. Mohammad M. Obaidat
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  2. Musa A. Alshehabat
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Correspondence to Mohammad M. Obaidat.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. All dog owners were briefed regarding the study objectives. It was emphasized to the dog owners/guardians that this study is for research purposes. It was also emphasized that their decision to allow sampling from their animals is completely voluntarily and their decision would not affect needed veterinary care of their animals. To achieve proper collection and to gain access to dog farms, private veterinarians assisted the researchers in blood collection and interviews.

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Obaidat, M.M., Alshehabat, M.A. Zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) in different types of dogs. Parasitol Res 117, 3407–3412 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6033-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6033-1

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