Description of zoonotic blood-borne pathogens of domestic animals in Cairo, Egypt in a One Health framework

Abstract

Zoonotic, ectoparasite-vectored blood pathogens are crossing the human-animal interface in many countries in North Africa and the Middle East. This dissertation performed a meta-analysis of Dirofilaria spp. in 21 countries in this region and estimated the prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. to be 2.4%. Dirofilaria spp. was detected in multiple hosts including companion animals and humans. A novel laboratory method was created for recovering dried DNA extract on filter paper to facilitate laboratory work in resource limited settings like Cairo, Egypt. In Cairo, Egypt, whole blood and ectoparasite samples were collected from 250 domestic species and dogs were found to have a high degree of positivity for blood pathogens of zoonotic potential. Dogs tested positive for antibodies to Anaplasma sp. and Ehrlichia sp. most often. One species of flea Ctenocephalides felis and two species of ticks, R. sanguineus and R. annulatus were collected from sampled host species. All three collected ectoparasite species are competent vectors of zoonotic pathogens. The work of this study identified the presence of pathogens and competent vectors with the ability to cross the human-animal interface. A One Health intervention that prevents transmission to humans and enhances the health of the animal through the use of ectoparasiticides could be effective in preventing the transmission of Dirofilaria spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp.