Vector-borne infections pose significant health risks not only to humans and wildlife but also to our beloved domestic animals. In this comprehensive study, we focus on domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in the United States, who may unwittingly serve as carriers for various zoonotic vector-borne pathogens. The aim of this research is to shed light on the geographical distribution, risk factors, and co-infections associated with Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and Dirofilaria immitis infections specifically in shelter dogs located in the Eastern United States.

Study design

To gather essential data, blood samples were meticulously collected from 3750 shelter dogs across 19 states during the period from 2016 to 2020. To determine the seroprevalence of tick-borne pathogen infections and Dirofilaria immitis infections, IDEXX SNAP® 4Dx® Plus tests were employed. The impact of various factors, such as age, sex, intact status, breed group, and location, on the occurrence of infections was carefully assessed using advanced logistic regression techniques.

Results

The findings revealed an overall seroprevalence of 11.2% (n = 419/3750) for Dirofilaria immitis, 2.4% (n = 90/3750) for Anaplasma spp., 8.0% (n = 299/3750) for Ehrlichia spp., and 8.9% (n = 332/3750) for Borrelia burgdorferi. Remarkably, regional variations were evident, with the Southeast showing the highest seroprevalence for D. immitis (17.4%, n = 355/2036) and Ehrlichia spp. (10.7%, n = 217/2036), while the Northeast displayed the highest seroprevalence for B. burgdorferi (19.3%, n = 143/740) and Anaplasma spp. (5.7%, n = 42/740). What's more, an alarming 4.8% (n = 179/3750) of shelter dogs were found to have co-infections, with D. immitis/Ehrlichia spp. (1.6%, n = 59/3750), B. burgdorferi/Anaplasma spp. (1.5%, n = 55/3750), and B. burgdorferi/Ehrlichia spp. (1.2%, n = 46/3750) being the most common combinations.

Analyzing the risk factors, it was evident that location and breed group played pivotal roles in influencing infection rates across the evaluated pathogens. In particular, all evaluated risk factors significantly influenced the seroprevalence of D. immitis antigens.

The implications of these findings are profound, as they highlight the regionally variable risk of vector-borne pathogen infections in shelter dogs across the Eastern United States. The varying distributions of vectors are believed to be the contributing factor to this phenomenon. Given the ongoing climate and landscape changes that impact vector distributions, it is evident that continued surveillance of vector-borne pathogens is imperative for maintaining a reliable risk assessment.

This study serves as a clarion call for heightened awareness and action to protect our furry friends from these potential health threats, thereby ensuring their well-being and safety in shelter environments. By understanding and addressing these risks, we can pave the way towards better protection and care for shelter dogs across the Eastern United States

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https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/10/1586