PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO EHRLICHIA CANIS, ANAPLASMA SPP., BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SENSU LATO AND DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN HUNTING DOGS FROM SOUTHERN ITALY

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a range of pathogens transmitted to dogs by arthropods including ticks and insects, and many of them are zoonotic, with dogs potentially serving as reservoirs for humans. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence for Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Dirofilaria immitis in hunting dogs living in Campania region, southern Italy. Whole blood samples of hunting dogs (n=1,335) from Salerno and Avellino provinces were tested using a commercial in-clinic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (SNAP® 4Dx®-IDEXX Laboratories). Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors of exposure. The seroprevalences for the four pathogens were: E. canis 7.56% (101/1335), Anaplasma spp. 4.34% (58/1135), B. burgdorferi s.l. 0.29% (4/1335) and D. immitis 0.22% (3/1335). Co-infection with E. canis and Anaplasma spp. was found in 29 dogs (2.17%), while co-infection with Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi s. l. in only 2 animals (0.14%). Adult age was a risk factor for E. canis (OR 2.35), while fur animals (hares, foxes, boars) hunt for E. canis (OR 4.75), Anaplasma spp. (OR 1.87) and B. burdorferi s.l. (OR 10.51), respectively. The history, or presence, of tick infestation was identified as a risk factor for positivity to E. canis (OR 2.08) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 2.15). Finally, a large dog pack size was significantly associated with exposure to E. canis (OR 1.85) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 2.42). The results of present survey indicated that hunting dogs populations is at risk of CVBDs in southern Italy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of hunting dogs in the epidemiology of vector-borne agents due to sharing with the wild animals the same area as sympatric populations. Information on the prevalence and geographical distribution of CVBDs in dog populations is crucial for effective planning of surveillance and control measures