Abstract:
In 2016, the World Health Organization declared Sri Lanka as having successfully eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health concern. However, in recent decades, several infections with subperiodic filarial species suggestive of zoonotic infections have been recorded across the country. The arthropod-borne filarioids Dirofilaria repens, Brugia malayi, Brugia ceylonensis, and Acanthocheilonema reconditum are historically known to be endemic in dogs in Sri Lanka. Despite this, limited information on the prevalence, diversity, and predictors of filarial infections in dogs in the country has resulted in suboptimal control and prevention of these parasites, some of which are known to be zoonotic. To address this, whole blood and metadata were collected and analysed from 423 pet dogs across three geo-climatic zones within Sri Lanka. Blood samples were screened using the Modified Knott\'s Test (MKT) and PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess predictors for canine filarial infections. Dirofilaria sp. \'hongkongensis\' (Dirofilaria sp. HK) and Brugia sp. Sri Lanka (SL) genotype were identified infecting dogs. The overall prevalence of filarial infection in pet dogs by PCR was 36.9% (95% CI 32.3-41.7%, n = 156), compared to 18.8% (95% CI 15.2-22.9%, n = 79) detected using the MKT. >80% of filarial-positive dogs were infected by Dirofilaria sp. HK, while the remaining dogs were infected by Brugia sp. SL genotype. Increasing age (p < 0.001) and residing in the low-country wet zone (p < 0.001), which includes regions that were endemic for human filariasis in Sri Lanka, were associated with filarial infections in dogs. No clear pathognomonic signs for filarial infection were identified, indicating that dogs act as reservoirs for these potentially zoonotic pathogens. Given the morphological similarity of Dirofilaria HK and Brugia sp. SL microfilariae with those of D. repens and B. malayi, respectively, it is likely that these species have been misidentified in the past. Prevention and control measures of these potentially zoonotic canine filarial infections are highly advocated to safeguard both canine and human health.
摘要:
2016年,世界卫生组织宣布斯里兰卡已成功消除了淋巴丝虫病,这是公共卫生问题。然而,近几十年来,全国范围内已记录了几种亚周期丝虫感染,提示人畜共患感染。节肢动物传播的丝虫,BrugiaMalayi,Brugiaceylonensis,历史上已知Acanthocheilonema在斯里兰卡的狗中流行。尽管如此,关于患病率的信息有限,多样性,和该国狗丝虫感染的预测因素导致对这些寄生虫的控制和预防欠佳,其中一些已知是人畜共患的。为了解决这个问题,从斯里兰卡境内3个地理气候带的423只宠物狗中收集并分析了全血和元数据.使用改良的Knott检验(MKT)和PCR随后进行Sanger测序来筛选血液样品。多变量逻辑回归模型用于评估犬丝虫感染的预测因子。Dirofilariasp.\'hongkongensis\'(Dirofilariasp.香港)和布鲁贾sp。斯里兰卡(SL)基因型被鉴定为感染狗。通过PCR,宠物狗丝虫感染的总体患病率为36.9%(95%CI32.3-41.7%,n=156),与18.8%相比(95%CI15.2-22.9%,n=79)使用MKT检测。>80%的丝虫阳性犬感染了Dirofilariasp。香港,而其余的狗被Brugiasp.感染。SL基因型。年龄增长(p<0.001)和居住在低乡村湿润区(p<0.001),其中包括斯里兰卡人类丝虫病流行的地区,与狗的丝虫感染有关。未发现丝虫感染的明确病理标志,这表明狗是这些潜在的人畜共患病原体的蓄水池。鉴于香港红藻和Brugiasp。的形态相似性。SL微丝菌与白杨和马来西亚的微丝菌,分别,这些物种很可能在过去被误认了。提倡对这些潜在的人畜共患犬丝虫感染采取预防和控制措施,以保护犬和人类健康。