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Canine vector-borne infections of working dogs of the Sri Lanka Air Force, and free roaming, and privately owned dogs

Authors :
P. S. Jayatilaka
R. A. S. Ranatunga
H. S. U. Wijerathna
A. D. S. Fernando
K. M. H. Jinarathne
N. G. R. K. Naullage
S. N. S. Silva
K. Thananjayan
L. K. H. R. T. Amarasiri
N. P. K. Jayasundara
M. C. K. Mallawa
A. Dangolla
S. S. Iddamaldeniya
S. M. N. S. Samarakoon
A. G. M. L. K. Dayananda
A. M. M. Nazeem
R. S. Rajakaruna
Source :
Scientific Reports, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-17 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Nature Portfolio, 2024.

Abstract

Abstract Canine vector-borne infections (CVBIs) are a global health problem. The military working dogs of Sri Lanka die at an early age, and CVBIs have been a leading speculated cause. We examined CVBIs in the working dogs of the Sri Lanka air force (SLAF) and free-roaming dogs (FRDs) and privately owned dogs (PODs) country-wide. Giemsa-stained smears were prepared and conventional PCR-positive DNA was subjected to sequencing and phylogeny. Of the 668 dogs sampled, 212 (31.7%) had one or more CVBIs. The prevalence of infections among the FRDs (40.0%) was significantly higher than SLAF working dogs (30.0%; χ2 = 10.5216; p = 0.0012) and PODs (26.2%; χ2 = 5.3414, p = 0.0208) but not between SLAF dogs and PODs (χ2 = 1.7655, p = 0.1838). Many infected dogs were asymptomatic (57.4%), which was higher among the FRDs. Seven infectious agents were identified: Babesia gibsoni, B. canis, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Leishmania sp., Hepatozoon canis, and filaria worms. The most common infection was B. gibsoni (13.8%), followed by E. canis (9.9%). Three tick species: Rhipicephalus linneai, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and Haemophysalis bispinosa were found infesting the dogs. The SLAF dogs were thoroughly quarantined upon arrival, but the infection prevalence was similar to PODs.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20452322
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Scientific Reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.73c3591ecb14d0091fe5786c96313af
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71148-1