Rickettsial infection in domestic mammals and their ectoparasites in El Valle de Antón, Coclé, Panamá.
Abstract: The present research evaluated the presence of Rickettsia spp. on ectoparasites of horses and dogs (using PCR techniques), and their sera (using immunofluorescence assay) in El Valle de Antón town in Panama. A total of 20 horses and 20 dogs were sampled, finding four species of ectoparasites on dogs (the ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, and the flea Ctenocephalides felis), and two tick species on horses (Amblyomma cajennense and Dermacentor nitens). DNA of Rickettsia amblyommii was found in pools of A. cajennense, D. nitens, and R. sanguineus, while Rickettsia felis was detected in C. felis pools. Overall, 70% (14/20) and 65% (13/20) of the horses and dogs, respectively, were seroreactive (titer ≥ 64) to spotted fever group rickettsiae. Sera from six dogs and five horses reacted to R. amblyommii antigens with titers at least four-fold higher than those for the other antigens tested (Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia rhipicephali, R. felis, and R. rickettsii). These serological results, coupled with our molecular findings, suggest that these dogs and horses were infected by Rickettsia amblyommii. More studies need to be realized afford to identify the Rickettsia species responsible for other serological and molecular positive results, and their ecological importance.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-11-19 PubMed ID: 21144663DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.11.020Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research examines the presence and significance of Rickettsia bacteria on external parasites of horses and dogs in the town of El Valle de Antón, Panama.
Methodology and Findings
- The investigator team used PCR techniques to check the presence of Rickettsia spp. in ectoparasites, which are creatures that infest outer body surfaces of dogs and horses, and analysed their sera using the immunofluorescence assay.
- 20 horses and 20 dogs were used for the study. Four types of ectoparasites—Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, and Ctenocephalides felis—were found on dogs, with two tick varieties—Amblyomma cajennense and Dermacentor nitens—found on horses.
- The DNA of Rickettsia amblyommii was discovered in pools of A. cajennense, D. nitens, and R. sanguineus, whereas Rickettsia felis was found in C. felis pools.
Prevalence of Infection and Antibodies
- 70% of the horses and 65% of the dogs were seroreactive (meaning their blood serum reacted to an antigen) to the spotted fever group rickettsiae, indicating a widespread presence of the bacteria.
- Blood serum samples from six dogs and five horses reacted to R. amblyommii antigens with titers at least four-fold higher than those for other antigens tested, including Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia rhipicephali, R. felis, and R. rickettsii.
- This suggests that these dogs and horses were infected by Rickettsia amblyommii.
Future Research Scope
- The investigation concludes with a call for further studies. The main goal should be to identify the type of Rickettsia responsible for other positive serological and molecular test results and to understand the ecological importance of those.
Cite This Article
APA
Bermúdez CS, Zaldívar AY, Spolidorio MG, Moraes-Filho J, Miranda RJ, Caballero CM, Mendoza Y, Labruna MB.
(2010).
Rickettsial infection in domestic mammals and their ectoparasites in El Valle de Antón, Coclé, Panamá.
Vet Parasitol, 177(1-2), 134-138.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.11.020 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departament of Medical Entomology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Research, Panamá, Panama. bermudezsec@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dog Diseases / epidemiology
- Dog Diseases / microbiology
- Dog Diseases / parasitology
- Dogs
- Flea Infestations / epidemiology
- Flea Infestations / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Panama / epidemiology
- Population Surveillance
- Rickettsia / classification
- Rickettsia / isolation & purification
- Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
- Rickettsia Infections / parasitology
- Rickettsia Infections / veterinary
- Siphonaptera / microbiology
- Tick Infestations / epidemiology
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
- Ticks / microbiology
Citations
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