High prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in the blood of clinically healthy dogs in Hong Kong.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leishmaniosis and other canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) pose a major risk for veterinary and public health globally, especially where humans and dogs live in close proximity. Although mosquito and tick vectors are abundant in Hong Kong, surveillance for CVBDs has been limited.

Methods

A serological and molecular survey of 158 healthy owned (n = 64) and free-roaming unowned (n = 94) dogs with outdoor access in Hong Kong was performed to determine CVBD prevalence. Point-of-care (POC) immunoassays were used to detect (i) antibodies to Leishmania spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp., and (ii) Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum antigens, in canine sera. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also carried out to detect the molecular preva

SUBMITTER: Manathunga T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12278506 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature