Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens and molecular detection of Borrelia afzelii in military dogs from Portugal

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are increasingly being reported worldwide and represent a serious threat to both animal and public health. Military dogs may constitute a risk group for the agents causing these diseases, as they frequently work outdoors in different areas and are thus exposed to vector arthropods. In order to assess the risk of exposure of this type of dogs, a serological and molecular survey was conducted in military working dogs in Portugal. One hundred apparently healthy dogs were surveyed. Serum samples were tested for antigens of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis; and for antibodies to A. vasorum, Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum, Rickettsia spp. and Toscana virus. Serum was tested by polymerase chain reaction for Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), with sequencing of the DNA products.

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Keywords

Borrelia afzelii Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) Canine Vector-borne Diseases Dog Epidemiology Military Portugal Seroprevalence Toscana Virus Zoonosis Infecções Sistémicas e Zoonoses