Atapattu Ushani, Colella Vito, Traub Rebecca J, Wiethoelter Anke
Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2024 Jul 29;18(7):e0012365. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012365. eCollection 2024 Jul.
Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) have a worldwide distribution and show a high prevalence in tropical countries such as Sri Lanka. Some CVBP are zoonotic, with dogs identified as reservoir hosts for human subcutaneous dirofilariasis and potentially for spotted fever rickettsioses and re-emergent brugian filariasis in Sri Lanka, making these pathogens emerging public health issues in the country. Veterinarians are crucial in monitoring, preventing, and controlling these pathogens in dogs. Therefore, it is imperative to understand veterinarians' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding CVBP to mitigate their impact. A survey was designed and administered electronically to veterinarians residing and practising in Sri Lanka. Responses were evaluated using descriptive, univariable, and multivariable analyses to investigate associations between demographic factors, knowledge, attitude, and practices related to CVBP. Out of the 170 participating veterinarians, nearly 70% had moderate or high knowledge. However, the awareness of zoonotic pathogens, Brugia spp. (16%) and Rickettsia conorii (18%), was low, and a considerable number of veterinarians were unaware of the zoonotic nature of Dirofilaria repens. Based on multivariable analysis adjusting for experience and self-rated knowledge, new graduates had higher odds of knowledge compared to experienced veterinarians (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.7-23, p = 0.028). Questions assessing the attitude towards CVBP indicated that most participating veterinarians comprehend and agree with their importance. Nearly all participants agreed that ectoparasite control is the best option to prevent CVBP infections (91%, 153/167) and that for effective treatment of CVBP, a definitive diagnosis is required (81%, 135/167). However, veterinarians recommended suboptimal treatments for some CVBP, like Babesia gibsoni. Better practices were associated with being a companion animal practitioner (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.7, p = 0.032) and having a low to moderate canine caseload (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3-10.4, p = 0.038). Limited knowledge of zoonotic CVBP among veterinarians, along with suboptimal treatment, might contribute to dogs acting as reservoirs and high prevalence of these pathogens in Sri Lanka. Therefore, continued veterinary education is recommended to improve knowledge and practices, which in turn will help to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and control of these infections in Sri Lanka to ensure the well-being of dogs and humans.
犬媒传播病原体（CVBP）在全球范围内分布，在斯里兰卡等热带国家呈现出高流行率。一些CVBP是人畜共患病原体，在斯里兰卡，狗被确定为人类皮下丝虫病以及可能的斑点热立克次体病和再现性布鲁氏丝虫病的储存宿主，这使得这些病原体成为该国新出现的公共卫生问题。兽医在监测、预防和控制犬类中的这些病原体方面至关重要。因此，了解兽医对CVBP的知识、态度和实践（KAP）以减轻其影响势在必行。设计了一项调查并以电子方式对居住和执业于斯里兰卡的兽医进行了调查。使用描述性、单变量和多变量分析对回复进行评估，以调查人口统计学因素、与CVBP相关的知识、态度和实践之间的关联。在170名参与调查的兽医中，近70%拥有中等或高水平的知识。然而，对人畜共患病原体布鲁氏菌属（16%）和康氏立克次体（18%）的认识较低，并且相当数量的兽医不知道匐行恶丝虫的人畜共患性质。基于对经验和自我评估知识进行调整的多变量分析，与经验丰富的兽医相比，新毕业的兽医拥有更高的知识几率（OR 5.7，95% CI 1.7 - 23，p = 0.028）。评估对CVBP态度的问题表明，大多数参与调查的兽医理解并认同其重要性。几乎所有参与者都同意体外寄生虫控制是预防CVBP感染的最佳选择（91%，153/167），并且对于CVBP的有效治疗，需要进行明确诊断（81%，135/167）。然而，兽医对一些CVBP（如吉氏巴贝斯虫）推荐了次优治疗方法。更好的实践与成为伴侣动物从业者（OR 2.4，95% CI 1.1 - 5.7，p = 0.032）以及犬类病例数量低至中等（OR 3.6，95% CI 1.3 - 10.4，p = 0.038）相关。兽医对人畜共患CVBP的知识有限以及治疗方法次优，可能导致狗成为储存宿主以及这些病原体在斯里兰卡的高流行率。因此，建议持续开展兽医教育以提高知识和实践水平，这反过来将有助于改善斯里兰卡对这些感染的诊断、治疗和控制，以确保狗和人类的健康。
