A retrospective study of vector borne disease prevalence among anemic dogs in North Carolina
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Anemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs. Further understanding of the prevalence of vector borne diseases (VBD) in anemic dogs is needed. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the rate of exposure to or infection with VBD among anemic dogs presented to a teaching hospital in North Carolina and to further characterize the anemia in dogs with VBD exposure. ANIMALS: A total of 597 anemic dogs that were concurrently tested for VBD were examined at a referral veterinary hospital between January 2012 and December 2018. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and VBD testing data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Of the 597 anemic dogs examined, 180 (30.15%; 95% CI: 26.49-34.01%) tested positive for one or more VBD. There was no difference in the severity of anemia or the proportion of dogs displaying a regenerative anemia between dogs testing positive and negative for VBD. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of anemic dogs from this region test positive for exposure to or infection with VBD. Our study supported the use of PCR and serology run in parallel to maximize the chance of detecting exposure to or infection with VBD compared to either serology or PCR alone. At this time, it is unknown whether infection with VBD contributed to the development of anemia in these patients. However, given the prevalence of VBD exposure in anemic dogs, testing for VBD in anemic patients from this region of the United States is warranted.
Source: PLoS ONE
Authors: Katie L. Anderson, Adam Birkenheuer, George E. Moore, Allison Kendall
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,805
OpenAlex ID: W4388487691