Scientific Reports (Oct 2024)

Canine vector-borne infections of working dogs of the Sri Lanka Air Force, and free roaming, and privately owned dogs

  • P. S. Jayatilaka,
  • R. A. S. Ranatunga,
  • H. S. U. Wijerathna,
  • A. D. S. Fernando,
  • K. M. H. Jinarathne,
  • N. G. R. K. Naullage,
  • S. N. S. Silva,
  • K. Thananjayan,
  • L. K. H. R. T. Amarasiri,
  • N. P. K. Jayasundara,
  • M. C. K. Mallawa,
  • A. Dangolla,
  • S. S. Iddamaldeniya,
  • S. M. N. S. Samarakoon,
  • A. G. M. L. K. Dayananda,
  • A. M. M. Nazeem,
  • R. S. Rajakaruna

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71148-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract Canine vector-borne infections (CVBIs) are a global health problem. The military working dogs of Sri Lanka die at an early age, and CVBIs have been a leading speculated cause. We examined CVBIs in the working dogs of the Sri Lanka air force (SLAF) and free-roaming dogs (FRDs) and privately owned dogs (PODs) country-wide. Giemsa-stained smears were prepared and conventional PCR-positive DNA was subjected to sequencing and phylogeny. Of the 668 dogs sampled, 212 (31.7%) had one or more CVBIs. The prevalence of infections among the FRDs (40.0%) was significantly higher than SLAF working dogs (30.0%; χ2 = 10.5216; p = 0.0012) and PODs (26.2%; χ2 = 5.3414, p = 0.0208) but not between SLAF dogs and PODs (χ2 = 1.7655, p = 0.1838). Many infected dogs were asymptomatic (57.4%), which was higher among the FRDs. Seven infectious agents were identified: Babesia gibsoni, B. canis, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Leishmania sp., Hepatozoon canis, and filaria worms. The most common infection was B. gibsoni (13.8%), followed by E. canis (9.9%). Three tick species: Rhipicephalus linneai, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and Haemophysalis bispinosa were found infesting the dogs. The SLAF dogs were thoroughly quarantined upon arrival, but the infection prevalence was similar to PODs.

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