Large-scale survey for canine vector-borne parasites in different bioclimatic regions of Chile: first description of Babesia in dogs and Hepatozoon in foxes

DI CATALDO, SOPHIA; AITOR CEVIDANES; CLAUDIA ULLOA-CONTRERAS; CABELLO, JAVIER; GAMBINO, DELIA; GARGANO, VALERIA; HIDALGO-HERMOSO, EZEQUIEL; MARIA STEFANIA LATROFA; NAPOLITANO, CONSTANZA; SACRISTÁN, IRENE; SALLABERRY-PINCHEIRA, NICOLE; VIANNA, JULIANA; ACOSTA-JAMETT, GERARDO; DOMENICO, VICARI; DOMENICO OTRANTO; MILLÁN, JAVIER

Congreso; 69th WDA/14th EWDA Joint Conference; 2021

Wildlife Disease Association

Chile is a large country that presents a range of climates that makes it an ideal scenario for the study of vector-borne parasites. The presence of Hepatozoon, piroplasmids and nematodes was studied in blood samples of 774 free-ranging rural dogs, 154 Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus), and 91 South American grey foxes (L. griseus) from six bioclimatic regions across 3000 km in Chile through molecular and serological methods. We found a prevalence of 43% of Hepatozoon spp. DNA in foxes. All sequences in Andean fox were phylogenetically associated with H. felis. In grey foxes, all belonged to the H. americanum clade, except for one, that showed 100% identity with H. canis. Risk factor assessment identified juvenile age associated with higher probability of Hepatozoon infection in foxes. All dogs were negative for Hepatozoon DNA. DNA of Piroplasmida was found in 0.7% of the dogs, and in no fox. Antibodies against Babesia sp. were detected in 24% of the dogs and 25% of the foxes. A positive association between the presence of antibodies against Babesia and high Rhipicephalus sanguineus burden in dogs was observed. Acanthocheilonema reconditum was the only nematode detected in blood, being present in 1.5% of the dogs and in no fox. Our study presents the first description of Babesia in dogs and of Hepatozoon in foxes from Chile. The seroprevalence of Babesia among all the assessed bioclimatic regions suggested an underestimated molecular prevalence of this agent in dogs of the country. Possible host preference among foxes was detected for Hepatozoon species. The presence of vector-borne parasites that were not reported in Chile before, is essential to the achieve correct diagnosis in domestic dogs, improving control measures that can further beneficiate sympatric wild canids conservation plans.