Ehrlichia , Hepatozoon , and Babesia Coinfection Patterns Among Owned Dogs in Central Thailand
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia have the potential to cause life-threatening illnesses in dogs, especially when coinfections occur. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine the infection rates, coinfection patterns, and risk factors associated with these pathogens in central Thailand. ANIMALS: Two thousand five hundred nineteen owned dogs presented with clinical abnormalities consistent with tick-borne diseases between 2019 and 2023. METHODS: Retrospective study, blood samples were analyzed using multiplex PCR to assess infection rates. The study compared infection rates across different sexes and age groups and tracked monthly variations. RESULTS: A total of 19.02% (95% CI: 17.50-20.60) of dogs were infected by one pathogen infection: Ehrlichia 11.47% (10.25-12.78), Babesia 2.78% (2.17-3.50), and Hepatozoon 1.83% (1.34-2.43). Infections occurred year-round but peaked in May. Coinfections were observed in 2.94% (2.31-3.67) of cases. Among infected dogs, coinfections were identified in 34% (36/106) and 53% (52/98) of dogs with babesiosis or hepatozoonosis, respectively, whereas 19% (69/358) of dogs with ehrlichiosis were co-infected. Coinfections peaked in April, occurred in all age groups, and were more frequent in dogs younger than 1 year compared to dogs older than 7 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive diagnostic testing for multiple pathogens and tick prevention in dogs living in this region.
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70154
Institution: Mahidol University
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
Funder: Mahidol University
OpenAlex ID: W4410877363