Seroprevalence of spotted fever group Rickettsiae in dogs in Germany

Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Miriam WächterCornelia Silaghi

Abstract

Tick-transmitted spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) are considered emerging disease pathogens in Europe. To assess the situation in Germany, a seroepidemiologic survey of dogs (n=605, which have never left Germany) was conducted to determine the prevalence of antibodies to SFGR. For this purpose, a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for all SFGR was used. A total of 78% of the dogs were positive for antibodies of the SFGR, and there was a positive correlation between age, tick-infestation, and seropositivity. There was no correlation between clinical state, location, and seropositivity, suggesting that infection with rickettsia is neither related to the health condition of the dogs nor to their abode in Germany. According to our results, all of Germany can be considered as an endemic area for SFGR. This should be taken into account when assessing the epidemiology of human rickettsioses and their impact on public health.

References

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Citations

Jun 9, 2016·Veterinary Parasitology·Jana M LiesnerGeorg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
Aug 24, 2019·Zoonoses and Public Health·Emily G PieracciMargarita E Villarino
Dec 29, 2020·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Andrea SpringerChristina Strube

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
blood collection
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Software Mentioned

SPSS

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