de Villiers Lourens, Schoeman Johan P, Penzhorn Barend L, Molini Umberto, de Villiers Mari, Makgabo S Marcus, Byaruhanga Charles, Collins Nicola E, Thompson Peter N, Zealand Samantha, Stoltsz Wilhelm H, Baines Ian J M, Khaiseb Siegfried, Oosthuizen Marinda C
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Neudamm Campus, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia.
Parasit Vectors. 2025 Jul 10;18(1):275. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06906-9.
Due to limited documentation on vector-borne pathogens of companion animals in Namibia, a country-wide, multi-site field study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of these pathogens in domestic dogs.
Samples of whole blood and serum from 375 dogs in 15 towns across eight regions were analysed. Vector-borne pathogens were screened by light microscopic examination of blood smears, point-of-care serology, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Haematology and serum biochemistry analyses were also performed.
Collectively, the SNAP 4Dx Plus Test provided 64% seropositive results, comprising Ehrlichia species (59%), Anaplasma species (45%), Dirofilaria immitis (2%), and Borrelia burgdorferi (< 1%). Altogether, prevalence as determined by probe-based qPCR assays was 54%, comprising Ehrlichia canis (27%), Hepatozoon canis (25%), Anaplasma species (13%), and Babesia vogeli (8%). Light microscopy yielded the least number of positives, indicating a collective positive result of only 11% in screening for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Hepatozoon, Babesia, and microfilaria species. On the whole, Kunene and Otjozondjupa regions showed the highest pathogen prevalence (75%), and the lowest was from Erongo region (38%), on qPCR testing. Significant associations between tick presence and infection by E. canis (P = 0.001), Anaplasma species (P = 0.006), and B. vogeli (P = 0.008) were demonstrated. Likewise, relevant associations between haemoparasite infection and variables of patient signalment, history, and various disease manifestations were shown. Finally, significant associations were found between pathogen infection and numerous clinical pathology abnormalities of the erythron, leukon, and thrombon, including thrombocytopenia (P = 0.022).
Diagnostic modalities should be used contextually to test for canine pathogens, with due consideration of the limitations. Appropriate diagnostic testing such as qPCR, guided by relevant known associations with disease manifestation, should guide responsible treatment strategies and identify potential zoonotic risks in pets.
由于纳米比亚关于伴侣动物媒介传播病原体的文献资料有限，开展了一项全国性、多地点的实地研究，以估计这些病原体在 domestic dogs 中的流行情况。
对来自八个地区 15 个城镇的 375 只狗的全血和血清样本进行了分析。通过对血涂片进行光学显微镜检查、即时检验血清学和定量实时聚合酶链反应（qPCR）来筛查媒介传播病原体。还进行了血液学和血清生化分析。
总体而言，SNAP 4Dx Plus 检测提供了 64% 的血清学阳性结果，包括埃立克体属（59%）、无形体属（45%）、犬恶丝虫（2%）和伯氏疏螺旋体（<1%）。通过基于探针的 qPCR 检测确定的总体流行率为 54%，包括犬埃立克体（27%）、犬肝簇虫（25%）、无形体属（13%）和伯氏巴贝斯虫（8%）。光学显微镜检查得出的阳性数量最少，表明在筛查埃立克体、无形体、肝簇虫、巴贝斯虫和微丝蚴属时总体阳性结果仅为 11%。总体而言，在 qPCR 检测中，库内内和奥乔宗朱帕地区显示出最高的病原体流行率（75%），最低的是埃龙戈地区（38%）。结果表明，蜱的存在与犬埃立克体感染（P = 0.001）、无形体属感染（P = 0.006）和伯氏巴贝斯虫感染（P = 0.008）之间存在显著关联。同样，血液寄生虫感染与患病动物的体征、病史和各种疾病表现变量之间也显示出相关关联。最后，在病原体感染与红细胞、白细胞和血栓的众多临床病理异常之间发现了显著关联，包括血小板减少症（P = 0.022）。
应根据具体情况使用诊断方法来检测犬类病原体，同时充分考虑其局限性。在与疾病表现的相关已知关联的指导下，进行适当的诊断检测，如 qPCR，应指导负责任的治疗策略，并识别宠物中潜在的人畜共患病风险。
