Detection of Babesia canis subspecies and other arthropod-borne diseases in dogs from Tirana, Albania

Publication type: 

Authors: 

Dietmar Hamel, Cornelia Silaghi, Martin Knaus, Martin Visser, Ilir Kusi, Dhimiter Rapti, Steffen Rehbein and Kurt Pfister

Bibliography Partner: 

Journal: 

Status: 

Year: 

2008

Reference: 

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift Volume 121, Supplement 3, 42-45, DOI: 10.1007/s00508-009-1234-3

Host: 

Pathogen: 

Data description: 

EDTA-blood and serum samples from 30 semi-domesticated dogs from suburban areas from Tirana, Albania, were collected in September 2008.

Keywords: 

Dog, Arthropod-borne disease, Parasitic infection, Albania

Abstract: 

Summary. The importance of arthropod-borne diseases increased in the recent past in particular due to frequent travel with dogs in or by importing of dogs from regions with endemic occurrence of these diseases. While the epidemiological situation is well known for the western parts of the Mediterranean, only limited data is available for Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Thirty clinically healthy dogs from suburban areas of Tirana, Albania, were tested for Babesia canis, Hepatozoon spp., Leishmania spp., Dirofilaria spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. using direct and indirect methods. Antibodies against and/or pathogens of arthropod-borne diseases were detected in the blood of 20 (67%) dogs. Nineteen dogs (63%) had antibodies against B. canis, E. canis and/or A. phagocytophilum. Babesia c. canis, Babesia c. vogeli, Hepatozoon spp., D. immitis and/or E. canis were identified by blood smear, PCR or ELISA in 13 (43%) dogs. There was no evidence for Leishmania spp., Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. infections.