Canine babesiosis in northern Portugal and molecular characterization of vector-borne co-infections

摘要: Protozoa and bacteria transmitted by arthropods, including ticks phlebotomine sand flies, may cause a wide range of canine vector-borne diseases. Dogs can be simultaneously or sequentially infected with multiple pathogens. Canine babesiosis caused Babesia canis vogeli is known to occur in Portugal. This study assessed, means blood smear examination, PCR DNA nucleotide sequencing, the presence spp. co-infecting agents Leishmania, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia Hepatozoon 45 dogs from northern Portugal clinically suspected babesiosis. Forty-four (98%) had infection B. one vogeli. Co-infections were detected nine animals (20%). Eight found two agents: six Leishmania infantum; Ehrlichia canis; canis. Another dog was three pathogens: vogeli, E. L. infantum. Overall, infantum seven (16%), (4%), H. (2%) out Almost 90% cases diagnosed colder months October (18%), November (27%), December (20%), February (13%) March (9%). February, March, April, May, November. Twenty-two (50%) 44 infested Dermacentor spp., Ixodes Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Mortality (9%) included co-infected that died spontaneously single infections euthanized. main etiological agent A higher sensitivity detection obtained assays, compared observation smears. Twenty percent infantum, Furthermore, this first molecular identification