Open Access
Research (Published online: 20-07-2022)
13. Prevalence of Ehrlichia-, Babesia-, and Hepatozoon-infected brown dog ticks in Khon Kaen Province, Northeast Thailand
Chatanun Eamudomkarn, Opal Pitaksakulrat, Parichart Boueroy, Sirikanda Thanasuwan, Nattaya Watwiengkam, Atchara Artchayasawat and Thidarut Boonmars
Veterinary World, 15(7): 1699-1705

Chatanun Eamudomkarn: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Opal Pitaksakulrat: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Parichart Boueroy: Department of Community Health Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand.
Sirikanda Thanasuwan: Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Agriculture Technology, Kalasin University, Kalasin 46000, Thailand.
Nattaya Watwiengkam: Veterinary Clinic Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand.
Atchara Artchayasawat: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Thidarut Boonmars: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.1699-1705

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Article history: Received: 11-02-2022, Accepted: 17-05-2022, Published online: 20-07-2022

Corresponding author: Thidarut Boonmars

E-mail: bthida@kku.ac.th

Citation: Eamudomkarn C, Pitaksakulrat O, Boueroy P, Thanasuwan S, Watwiengkam N, Artchayasawat A, Boonmars T (2022) Prevalence of Ehrlichia-, Babesia-, and Hepatozoon-infected brown dog ticks in Khon Kaen Province, Northeast Thailand, Veterinary World, 15(7): 1699-1705.
Abstract

Background and Aim: The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, is the most common tick found on domestic dogs in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Canine tick-borne pathogens are a public health concern worldwide. Tick-borne diseases are diagnosed by identifying pathogens based on the morphological or molecular analyses of dog blood samples. However, the collection of ticks, a non-invasive procedure, is easier than drawing blood. This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of collecting brown dog ticks for the diagnosis of tick-borne diseases and for estimating the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens among companion dogs in Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Seventy brown dog ticks from 70 companion dogs in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, were evaluated for molecular evidence of tick-borne pathogens, including Babesia spp., Ehrlichia canis, and Hepatozoon canis. Ticks were collected from dogs at a private animal hospital based on the presence of at least one of the three inclusion criteria: fever, anorexia, or lethargy. Molecular diagnosis was performed using conventional polymerase chain reaction for the detection of pathogens.

Results: Of the 70 ticks collected from 70 sick dogs, 55 (78.57%) were positive for tick-borne pathogens. The most common infection was a single infection with H. canis (65.71%) followed by Babesia spp. (31.43%) and E. canis (30.00%). Coinfection was observed in 14 ticks (20.00%), and coinfection with Babesia spp. and E. canis was the most prevalent double infection (n = 6). The prevalence of coinfection was identical for H. canis mixed with Babesia spp. and H. canis mixed with E. canis (n = 4).

Conclusion: The present study showed that tick-borne pathogens are highly prevalent among companion dogs in Khon Kaen Province. Therefore, we encourage an increase in tick control or the reduction and prevention of tick-borne diseases in this region. Furthermore, this study revealed that ticks are valuable samples for the molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens.

Keywords: brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, tick-borne diseases, tick-borne pathogens.