Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parasites and vector-borne pathogens in client-owned dogs in Albania. Blood pathogens and seroprevalences of parasitic and other infectious agents

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Knowledge on the epidemiology of parasitic and vector-borne infections is still very limited for Albania, a country located in the Balkan Peninsula in southeast Europe. Recent publications indicated prevalence rates of up to 52 % for vector-borne infections in less-cared dogs in Albania. To provide data on the epidemiological situation in dogs under veterinary care, a total of 602 client-owned dogs presented to four small animal clinics between March 2010 and April 2011 in Tirana, Albania, were screened by examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears, PCR, and serological methods for the presence of arthropod-borne infections, as well as Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Eight different pathogens, namely Babesia vogeli, Hepatozoon canis, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, and Mycoplasma haemocanis, were detected by direct methods with prevalence rates ranging from 1 to 9 %. Seroprevalence for Babesia spp., L. infantum, Anaplasma spp., and E. canis were 6.6, 5.1, 24.1, and 20.8 %, respectively. Dogs >1 year of age were positive for vector-borne infections significantly more often than younger dogs (p = 0.003). More than half (51.7 %) of the dogs were seroreactive to T. gondii and 18.3 % to N. caninum. This is the first report on the detection of A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, E. canis, and M. haemocanis by PCR as well as the serological confirmation of exposure of dogs to N. caninum and T. gondii in Albania. The spectrum of pathogens and the seroprevalences for N. caninum and T. gondii in client-owned dogs from Tirana, Albania, are comparable to that reported in other countries in the Mediterranean Basin. The prevalence rates of vector-borne pathogens are at the lower range of that reported in studies from this geographical region. This is probably due to increased awareness of the owners of pet dogs, including better husbandry conditions and ectoparasiticidal treatment, thus limiting exposure of dogs to vectors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adaszek Ł, Martinez AC, Winiarczyk S (2011) The factors affecting the distribution of babesiosis in dogs in Poland. Vet Parasitol 181:160–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adhami J, Murati N (1977) Leishmanioza e qenit dhe rezervuari i leishmaniozës viscerale në vendin tonë. Bul Shkencave Mjekësore 17:69–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson M, Turcitu MA, Stefanache M, Tamba P, Barbuceanu F, Chitima L (2013) First evidence of Anaplasma platys and Hepatozoon canis co-infection in a dog from Romania—a case report. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 4:317–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Athanasiou LV, Kontos VI, Saridomichelakis MN, Rallis TS, Diakou A (2012) A cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study of canine leishmaniasis in Greek mainland. Acta Trop 122:291–295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Azevedo SS, Batista CS, Vasconcellos SA, Aguiar DM, Ragozo AM, Rodrigues AA, Alves CJ, Gennari SM (2005) Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from the state of Paraíba, Northeast region of Brazil. Res Vet Sci 79:51–56

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baneth G, Mathew JS, Shkap V, Macintire DK, Barta JR, Ewing SA (2003) Canine hepatozoonosis: two disease syndromes caused by separate Hepatozoon spp. Trends Parasitol 19:27–31

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baneth G, Florin-Christensen M, Cardoso L, Schnittger L (2015) Reclassification of Theileria annae as Babesia vulpes sp. nov. Parasites & Vectors 8:207.

  • Beaufils JP, Inokuma H, Martin-Granel J, Jumelle P, Barbault-Jumelle M, Brouqui P (2002) Anaplasma platys (Ehrlichia platys) infection in a dog in France: description of the case, and characterization of the agent. Rev Méd Vét 153:85–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck R, Vojta L, Mrljak V, Marinculic A, Beck A, Zivicnjak T, Cacciò SM (2009) Diversity of Babesia and Theileria species in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs in Croatia. Int J Parasitol 39:843–848

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck R, Marinculić A, Mihaljević Ž, Benić M, Martinković F (2010) Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of Neospora caninum infection in dairy cattle in Croatia. Vet Arhiv 80:163–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Bizhga B, Laci D, Dhamo G, Keci R, Belegu K, Bakiasi I, Turmalaj L (2013) Survey for canine leishmaniosis. J Anim Vet Adv 12:442–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobić B, Nikolić A, Klun I, Djurković-Djaković O (2011) Kinetics of Toxoplasma infection in the Balkans. Wien Klin Wochenschr 123(Suppl 1):2–6

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cacciò SM, Antunović B, Moretti A, Mangili V, Marinculić A, Barić RR, Slemenda SB, Pieniazek NJ (2002) Molecular characterisation of Babesia canis canis and Babesia canis vogeli from naturally infected European dogs. Vet Parasitol 106:285–292

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso L, Rodrigues M, Santos H, Schoone GJ, Carreta P, Varejão E, van Benthem B, Afonso MO, Alves-Pires C, Semião-Santos SJ, Rodrigues J, Schallig HD (2004) Sero-epidemiological study of canine Leishmania spp. infection in the municipality of Alijó (Alto Douro, Portugal). Vet Parasitol 121:21–32

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso L, Tuna J, Vieira L, Yisaschar-Mekuzas Y, Baneth G (2010) Molecular detection of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis in dogs from the North of Portugal. Vet J 183:232–233

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso L, Mendão C, Madeira de Carvalho L (2012) Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma spp. and Leishmania infantum in apparently healthy and CVBD-suspect dogs in Portugal - a national serological study. Parasites Vectors 5:62

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carrade DD, Foley JE, Borjesson DL, Sykes JE (2009) Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis: a review. J Vet Intern Med 23:1129–1141

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casati S, Sager H, Gern L, Piffaretti JC (2006) Presence of potentially pathogenic Babesia sp. for human in Ixodes ricinus in Switzerland. Ann Agric Environ Med 13:65–70

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chambouris R, Stünzner D, Sebek Z, Sixl W, Köck M (1989) Zur Toxoplasmose der Hunde in Griechenland. Geographica Medica 3:19–22

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christova I, Van De Pol J, Yazar S, Velo E, Schouls L (2003) Identification of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species, and spotted fever group Rickettsiae in ticks from Southeastern Europe. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 22:535–542

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cicko Z, Cani E (1998) Te dhena paraprake mbi studimin “Seroprevalenca e Leishmaniozes kanine dhe identifimi i shkaktarit ne Shqiperi”. Rev Vet Instituti i Kërkimeve Veterinare Tiranë 1:112–115 [in Albanian]

  • Cicko Z, Zanaj S, Kusi I, Cani E (1999) Kërkime mbi leishmaniozën kanine në Shqipëri. Buletini i Shkencave Bujqësore 3:109–113 [in Albanian]

  • Cortes S, Vaz Y, Neves R, Maia C, Cardoso L, Campino L (2012) Risk factors for canine leishmaniasis in an endemic Mediterranean region. Vet Parasitol 189:189–196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Courtney JW, Kostelnik LM, Zeidner NS, Massung RF (2004) Multiplex Real-Time PCR for Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi. J Clin Microbiol 42:3164–3168

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dantas-Torres F (2010) Biology and ecology of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Parasites Vectors 3:26

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Tommasi AS, Otranto D, Dantas-Torres F, Capelli G, Breitschwerdt EB, de Caprariis D (2013) Are vector-borne pathogen co-infections complicating the clinical presentation in dogs? Parasites Vectors 6:97

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Development Core Team R (2010) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Austria. R foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Retrieved from http://www.R-project.org

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhamo G, Rapti D, Bizhga B, Llazari A (2006) Kërkime hematologjike paraprake mbi babezionën e qene. Rev Shqiptare e Shkencave Bujqesore 5:114–119 [in Albanian]

    Google Scholar 

  • Diakou A (2000) Epidemiological study of the dog parasitosis diagnosed by blood and serological examinations. Anima 8:9–15 [in Greek]

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimitrijević S, Tasić A, Tasić S, Adamović V, Ilić T, Miladinović-Tasić N (2007) Filariosis in dogs in Serbia. In: Genchi C, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G (eds), Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens in dog and cat and human infections. Mappa Parassitologiche 8:201

  • Dubey JP (2008) The history of Toxoplasma gondii - the first 100 years. J Eukaryot Microbiol 55:467–675

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubey JP, Alvarado-Esquivel C, Liesenfeld O, Herrera-Flores RG, Ramírez-Sánchez BE, González-Herrera A, Martínez-García SA, Bandini LA, Kwok OC (2007) Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dogs from Durango City, Mexico. J Parasitol 93:1033–1035

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duh D, Tozon NŠ, Petrovec M, Strašek K, Avšić-Županc T (2004) Canine babesiosis in Slovenia: molecular evidence of Babesia canis canis and Babesia canis vogeli. Vet Res 35:363–368

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dyachenko V, Pantchev N, Balzer HJ, Meyersen A, Straubinger RK (2012) First case of Anaplasma platys infection in a dog from Croatia. Parasites Vectors 5:49

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt S, Beall M, Stillman B, Lorentzen L, Diniz P, Chandrashekar R, Breitschwerdt E (2010) Experimental infection and co-infection of dogs with Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis: hematologic, serologic and molecular findings. Parasites Vectors 3:33

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gavrea RR, Iovu A, Losson B, Cozma V (2011) Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle from north-west and centre of Romania. Parasite 18:349–351

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gavrea R, Mircean V, Pastiu A, Cozma V (2012) Epidemiological survey of Neospora caninum infection in dogs from Romania. Vet Parasitol 188:382–385

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gavrilović P, Živuli A, Todorović I, Jovanović M, Parunović J (2013) Investigation of importance of Neospora caninum in aetiology of abortion in dairy cows in Serbia. Rev Méd Vét 164:100–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Gennari SM, Franco WAC, Feitosa MM, Ikeda FA, Lima VMF, Amaku M (2006) Presence of anti-Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dogs with visceral leishmaniosis from the region of Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Braz J Vet Res Anim Sci 43:613–619

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamel D, Silaghi C, Knaus M, Visser M, Kusi I, Rapti D, Rehbein S, Pfister K (2009) Detection of Babesia canis subspecies and other arthropod-borne diseases in dogs from Tirana, Albania. Wien Klin Wochenschr 121(Suppl 3):42–45

  • Hamel D, Silaghi C, Lescai D, Pfister K (2012) Epidemiological aspects on vector-borne infections in stray and pet dogs from Romania and Hungary with focus on Babesia spp. Parasitol Res 110:1537–1545

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey JW, Simpson CF, Gaskin JM (1978) Cyclic thrombocytopenia induced by a Rickettsia-like agent in dogs. J Infect Dis 137:182–188

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heyman P, Duh D, Van Der Kuylen B, Cochez C, Van Esbroeck M, Vandenvelde C, Avšić-Županc T (2007) Molecular and serological evidence for Anaplasma platys and Babesia sp. infection in a dog, imported in Belgium, from Southern Spain. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 54:276–279

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Imre M, Farkas R, Ilie M, Imre K, Hotea I, Morariu S, Morar D, Dărăbuş G (2013) Seroprevalence of Babesia canis infection in clinically healthy dogs from western Romania. J Parasitol 99:161–163

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ionita M, Mitrea IL, Pfister K, Hamel D, Silaghi C (2013) Molecular evidence for bacterial and protozoan pathogens in hard ticks from Romania. Vet Parasitol 196:71–76

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ivanov A, Kanakov D (2003) First case of canine hepatozoonosis in Bulgaria. Bulg J Vet Med 6:43–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen J, Müller E, Daugschies A (2003) Für die Reisetiermedizin bedeutungsvolle arthropoden-übertragene Infektionen bei Hunden in Griechenland. Prakt Tierarzt 84:430–438 [in German]

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemming GI, Messick JB, Enders G, Boros M, Lorenz B, Muenzing S, Kisch-Wedel H, Mueller W, Hahmann-Mueller A, Messmer K, Thein E (2004) Mycoplasma haemocanis infection—a kennel disease? Comp Med 54:404–409

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkova Z, Ivanov A, Georgiva D, Prelesov P (2008) An update on dirofilariosis in dogs and wild canines in Bulgaria. Sbornik dokladi ot nauchnata konferentsiya: Traditsii i s'vremenhost v'v veterinarnata meditsina, Sofia, Bulgaria, pp 247–252 [in Bulgarian]

    Google Scholar 

  • Klun I, Djurković-Djaković O, Katić-Radivojević S, Nikolić A (2006) Cross-sectional survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, sheep and pigs in Serbia: seroprevalence and risk factors. Vet Parasitol 135:121–131

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knaus M, Kusi I, Rapti D, Xhaxhiu D, Winter R, Visser M, Rehbein S (2011a) Endoparasites of cats from the Tirana area and the first report on Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Railliet, 1898) in Albania. Wien Klin Wochenschr 123(Suppl 1):31–35

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knaus M, Rapti D, Kusi I, Shukulari E, Postoli R, Xhaxhiu D, Winter R, Visser M, Rehbein S (2011b) Survey of endo- and ectoparasites of cats from Tirana, Albania. In: Abstr 23rd. Int Conf World Assoc Adv Vet Parasitol (WAAVP), Buenos Aires, Argentina, p 232.

  • Knaus M, Postoli R, Rapti D, Xhaxhiu D, Visser M, Winter R, Dimitrova Z, Rehbein S (2012) Helminthen bei Katzen aus dem Großraum Tirana. In: Abstr Tag Dtsch Ges Vet Med (DVG). Fachgr Parasitologie und parasitäre Krankheiten, Hannover, Germany, p 22

    Google Scholar 

  • Knaus M, Rapti D, Shukullari E, Kusi I, Postoli R, Xhaxhiu D, Silaghi C, Hamel D, Visser M, Winter R, Rehbein S (2014) Characterisation of ecto- and endoparasites in domestic cats from Tirana, Albania. Parasitol Res 113:3361–3371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kontos V, Koutinas A (1990) Canine hepatozoonosis: a review of 11 naturally occurring cases. Bull Hell Vet Med Soc 41:73–81 [in Greek]

    Google Scholar 

  • Kontos VI, Papadopoulos O, French TW (1991) Natural and experimental canine infections with a Greek strain of Ehrlichia platys. Vet Clin Pathol 20:101–105

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kybicova K, Schanilec P, Hulinska D, Uherkova L, Kurzova Z, Spejchalova S (2009) Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs in the Czech Republic. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 9:655–661

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lazri T, Duscher G, Edelhofer R, Bytyci B, Gjino P, Joachim A (2008) Infektion mit arthropodenübertragenen Parasiten bei Hunden im Kosovo und in Albanien unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Leishmanieninfektionen. Wien Klin Wochenschr 120(Suppl 4):54–58

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maggi P, Volpe A, Carito V, Schinaia N, Bino S, Basho M, Dentico P (2009) Surveillance of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Albania. New Microbiol 32:89–92

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mancianti F, Falcone ML, Giannelli C, Poli A (1995) Comparison between an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a detergent-soluble Leishmania infantum antigen and indirect immunofluorescence for the diagnosis of canine leishmaniosis. Vet Parasitol 59:13–21

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mary C, Faraut F, Lascombe L, Dumon H (2004) Quantification of Leishmania infantum DNA by a real-time PCR assay with high sensitivity. J Clin Microbiol 42:5249–5255

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miranda S, Roura X, Picado A, Ferrer L, Ramis A (2008) Characterization of sex, age, and breed for a population of canine leishmaniosis diseased dogs. Res Vet Sci 85:35–38

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mircean V, Dumitrache MO, Györke A, Pantchev N, Jodies R, Mihalca AD, Cozma V (2012) Seroprevalence and geographic distribution of Dirofilaria immitis and tick-borne infections (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Ehrlichia canis) in dogs from Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 12:595–604

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miró G, Montoya A, Roura X, Gálvez R, Sainz A (2013) Seropositivity rates for agents of canine vector-borne diseases in Spain: a multicentre study. Parasites Vectors 6:117

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitrea IL, Enachescu V, Ionita M (2012a) Neospora caninum Infection in Dogs From Southern Romania: Coproparasitological Study and Serological Follow-Up. J Parasitol 99:365–367

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitrea IL, Enachescu V, Radulescu R, Ionita M (2012b) Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection on dairy cattle in farms from southern Romania. J Parasitol 98:69–72

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morchón R, Carretón E, González-Miguel J, Mellado-Hernández I (2012) Heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and their vectors in Europe - new distribution trends. Front Physiol 3:196

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mylonakis ME, Koutinas AF, Baneth G, Polizopoulou Z, Fytianou A (2004a) Mixed Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, and presumptive Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a dog. Vet Clin Pathol 33:249–251

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mylonakis ME, Koutinas AF, Breitschwerdt EB, Hegarty BC, Billinis CD, Leontides LS, Kontos VS (2004b) Chronic canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis): a retrospective study of 19 natural cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 40:174–184

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Novacco M, Meli ML, Gentilini F, Marsilio F, Ceci C, Pennisi MG, Lombardo G, Lloret A, Santos L, Carrapiço T, Willi B, Wolf G, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R (2010) Prevalence and geographical distribution of canine hemotropic mycoplasma infections in Mediterranean countries and analysis of risk factors for infection. Vet Microbiol 142:276–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Otranto D, Testini G, Dantas-Torres F, Latrofa MS, Diniz PP, de Caprariis D, Lia RP, Mencke N, Stanneck D, Capelli G, Breitschwerdt EB (2010) Diagnosis of canine vector-borne diseases in young dogs: a longitudinal study. J Clin Microbiol 48:3316–3324

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Papadopoulou C, Kostoula A, Dimitriou D, Panagiou A, Bobojianni C, Antoniades G (2005) Human and canine leishmaniasis in asymptomatic and symptomatic population in Northwestern Greece. J Infect 50:53–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlovic I, Milojkovic N, Curcin L, Kovacevic M, Novak N, Ivanovic O (2012) Prevalence of ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and boreliosis. In: Program & Abstract Book EMOP XI, 25-29 July 2012, Cluj, Romania, p 330

  • Prezelov P, Koinarski V, Georgiva D (2008) Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats in the Stara Zagora region. Bulg J Vet Med 11:113–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapti D, Rehbein S (2010) Seroprevalence of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in Albania. Parasitol Res 107:481–485

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reichel MP, Alejandra Ayanegui-Alcérreca M, Gondim LF, Ellis JT (2013) What is the global economic impact of Neospora caninum in cattle - The billion dollar question. Int J Parasitol 43:133–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Röhrig E, Hamel D, Pfister K (2011) Retrospective evaluation of laboratory data on canine vector-borne infections from the years 2004-2008. Berl Münch Tierärztl Wochenschr 124:411–418

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sainz A, Amusategui I, Tesouro MA (1999) Ehrlichia platys infection and disease in dogs in Spain. J Vet Diagn Invest 11:382–384

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanogo YO, Davoust B, Inokuma H, Camicas JL, Parola P, Brouqui P (2003) First evidence of Anaplasma platys in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodida) collected from dogs in Africa. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 70:205–212

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santos AS, Alexandre N, Sousa R, Nuncio MS, Bacellar F, Dumler JS (2009) Serological and molecular survey of Anaplasma species infection in dogs with suspected tickborne disease in Portugal. Vet Rec 164:168–171

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sasanelli M, Paradies P, Lubas G, Otranto D, de Caprariis D (2009) Atypical clinical presentation of coinfection with Ehrlichia, Babesia and Hepatozoon species in a dog. Vet Rec 164:22–23

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schares G, Pantchev N, Barutzki D, Heydorn AO, Bauer C, Conraths FJ (2005) Oocysts of Neospora caninum, Hammondia heydorni, Toxoplasma gondii and Hammondia hammondi in faeces collected from dogs in Germany. Int J Parasitol 35:1525–1537

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shukullari E, Rapti D, Visser M, Hamel D, Pfister K, Rehbein S (2015) Parasites and vector-borne diseases in client-owned dogs in Albania. Intestinal and pulmonary endoparasite infections. Parasitol Res. doi:10.1007/s00436-015-4704-8

  • Silaghi C, Kauffmann M, Passos LM, Pfister K, Zweygarth E (2011a) Isolation, propagation and preliminary characterisation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the tick cell line IDE8. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2:204–208

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silaghi C, Liebisch G, Pfister K (2011b) Genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from 14 equine granulocytic anaplasmosis cases. Parasites Vectors 4:161

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silaghi C, Knaus M, Rapti D, Shukullari E, Pfister K, Rehbein S (2012) Rickettsia felis and Bartonella spp. in fleas from cats in Albania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 12:76–77

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silaghi C, Knaus M, Hamel D, Rapti D, Pfister K, Rehbein S (2013) Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks and fleas infesting dogs in Albania. In: Abstract 12th International Symposium on Ectoparasites in Pets, 25–29 July 2012. European Multicolloquium of Parasitology, Program & Abstract Book EMOP XI, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, p 35

  • Silaghi C, Knaus M, Rapti D, Kusi I, Shukullari E, Hamel D, Pfister K, Rehbein S (2014) Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, haemotropic mycoplasmas and other arthropod-borne pathogens in cats from Albania. Parasites Vectors 7:62

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simón F, Siles-Lucas M, Morchón R, González-Miguel J, Mellado I, Carretón E, Montoya-Alonso JA (2012) Human and animal dirofilariasis: the emergence of a zoonotic mosaic. Clin Microbiol Rev 25:507–544

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solano-Gallego L, Llull J, Osso M, Hegarty B, Breitschwerdt E (2006) A serological study of exposure to arthropod-borne pathogens in dogs from northeastern Spain. Vet Res 37:231–244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solano-Gallego L, Miró G, Koutinas A, Cardoso L, Pennisi MG, Ferrer L, Bourdeau P, Oliva G, Baneth G, The LeishVet Group (2011) LeishVet guidelines for the practical management of canine leishmaniosis. Parasites Vectors 4:86

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sommer MF, Beck R, Ionita M, Stefanovska J, Vasić A, Zdravković N, Hamel D, Rehbein S, Knaus M, Mitrea IL, Shukullari E, Kirkova Z, Rapti D, Capári B, Silaghi C (2015) Multilocus sequence typing of canine Giardia duodenalis from South Eastern European countries. Parasitol Res 114:2165–2174

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sotiraki S, Brozos C, Samartzi F, Schares G, Kiossis E, Conraths FJ (2008) Neospora caninum infection in Greek dairy cattle herds detected by two antibody assays in individual milk samples. Vet Parasitol 152:79–84

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stefanovska J, Farkas R, Kochevski Z (2012) Pevalence of some vector borne diseases in dogs in R. Macedonia. In: Program & Abstract Book EMOP XI, 25-29 July 2012, Cluj, Romania: pp 328–329.

  • Teglas M, Matern E, Lein S, Foley P, Mahan SM, Foley J (2005) Ticks and tick-borne disease in Guatemalan cattle and horses. Vet Parasitol 131:119–127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tennant KV, Barker EN, Polizopoulou Z, Helps CR, Tasker S (2011) Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of haemoplasmas in healthy and unhealthy dogs from Central Macedonia, Greece. J Small Anim Pract 52:645–649

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsachev I, Ivanov A, Dinev I, Simeonova G, Kanakov D (2008) Clinical Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis co-infection in a dog in Bulgaria. Rev Méd Vét 159:68–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Ventura MT, Munno G, Giannoccaro F, Accettura F, Chironna M, Lama R, Hoxha M, Panetta V, Ferrigno L, Rosmini F, Matricardi PM, Barbuti S, Priftanji A, Bonini S, Tursi A (2004) Allergy, asthma and markers of infections among Albanian migrants to Southern Italy. Allergy 59:632–636

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vojta L, Mrljak V, Curković S, Živičnjak T, Marinculić A, Beck R (2009) Molecular epizootiology of canine hepatozoonosis in Croatia. Int J Parasitol 39:1129–1136

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe M, Hisasue M, Hashizaki K, Furuichi M, Ogata M, Hisamatsu S, Ogi E, Hasegawa M, Tsuchiya R, Yamada T (2003) Molecular detection and characterization of Haemobartonella felis in domestic cats in Japan employing sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (SS-PCR). J Vet Med Sci 65:1111–1114

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Willi B, Novacco M, Meli M, Wolf-Jäckel G, Boretti F, Wengi N, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R (2010) Haemotropic mycoplasmas of cats and dogs: transmission, diagnosis, prevalence and importance in Europe. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 152:237–244

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xhaxhiu D, Kusi I, Rapti D, Visser M, Knaus M, Lindner T, Rehbein S (2009) Ectoparasites of dogs and cats in Albania. Parasitol Res 105:1577–1587

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xhaxhiu D, Kusi I, Rapti D, Kondi E, Postoli R, Rinaldi L, Dimitrova ZM, Visser M, Knaus M, Rehbein S (2011) Principal intestinal parasites of dogs in Tirana, Albania. Parasitol Res 108:341–353

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yildirim A, Ica A, Atalay O, Duzlu O, Inci A (2007) Prevalence and epidemiological aspects of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Kayseri Province, Turkey. Res Vet Sci 82:358–363

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zaffaroni E, Rubaudo L, Lanfranchi P, Mignone W (1999) Epidemiological patterns of canine leishmaniasis in Western Liguria (Italy). Vet Parasitol 81:11–19

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Živičnjak T, Martinković F, Marinculić A, Mrljak V, Kučer N, Matijatko V, Mihaljević Z, Barić-Rafaj R (2005) A seroepidemiologic survey of canine visceral leishmaniosis among apparently healthy dogs in Croatia. Vet Parasitol 131:35–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of the laboratory staff of the Diagnostic Unit of the Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology. The authors also acknowledge the support of Sanisys SA, Switzerland, for statistical analysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they do not have a conflict of interest.

Disclaimer

This document is provided for scientific purposes only. Any reference or brand or trademark herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended for a commercial purpose or to dilute the rights of the respective owner(s) of the brand(s) or trademark(s).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kathrinenhof Research Center, Merial GmbH, 03101 Rohrdorf-Lauterbach, Rohrdorf, Germany

    Dietmar Hamel & Steffen Rehbein

  2. Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany

    Dietmar Hamel, Cornelia Silaghi & Kurt Pfister

  3. Universiteti Bujqësor, Fakulteti i Mjëksisë Veterinare, Kodër Kamëz, Tirana, Albania

    Enstela Shukullari & Dhimitër Rapti

  4. National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Cornelia Silaghi

Authors
  1. Dietmar Hamel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Enstela Shukullari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dhimitër Rapti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cornelia Silaghi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kurt Pfister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Steffen Rehbein
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dietmar Hamel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hamel, D., Shukullari, E., Rapti, D. et al. Parasites and vector-borne pathogens in client-owned dogs in Albania. Blood pathogens and seroprevalences of parasitic and other infectious agents. Parasitol Res 115, 489–499 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4765-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4765-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation