Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXIII, Issue 1
Written by Roxana Georgiana ANGHEL, Ioan Liviu MITREA, Mariana IONIŢ
Canine Vector Borne Diseases (CVBD) have a worldwide impact as some are of zoonotic concern and they lead to a variety of serious infections mostly classified by their vectors. The pathogens co-infecting the dogs are linked to their associated vector agents and with their natural habitat. Dogs with clinical signs compatible for VBDs should be tested for more than one pathogen as the signs may be often non- specific and they may vary from one individual to another. Co-infections may potentiate the disease pathogenesis, thereby changing clinical manifestations associated with singular infections. Seven cases were selected among dogs referred in the Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest during of 2016, showing clinical signs compatible with VBD. They were serologically-positive for more than one pathogen. The seroreactivity revealed co-infections in dogs with four arthropod-borne pathogens: Dirofilaria immitis + Anaplasma spp. (3 dogs), D. immitis + Erlichia canis (2 dogs), E. canis + Borelia burgdorferi (1 dog ) and E. canis + Anaplasma spp. (1 dog). One dog, serological positive for D. immitis and A. phagocytophilum, was also positive for Babesia canis, detected in the blood smear. The present study emphasizes the chalenge of the diagnostic, therapeutics and management of co-infected dogs and illustrates the correlation between clinical aspects that the dogs are first presented with and the full panel of paraclinical investigations like imagistical (radiography, ultrasonography) and the blood analyses (haematology, biochemistry, citology and serology).
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