Seroprevalence of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens in domestic dogs from rural areas in northern Peru.

This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of zoonotic vector-borne diseases (ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, dirofilariasis, and Lyme disease) in domestic dogs in northern Peru, in rural areas of the Tumbes department. Blood samples were collected from dogs (n = 169) from three districts of the province of Tumbes: Garbanzal (n = 59), Puerto Pizarro (n = 59) and Rica Playa (n = 51). The samples were tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to check for Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and Dirofilaria immitis. The results showed a seroprevalence of 77.5% (131/169) for Ehrlichia spp., 37.9% (64/169) for Anaplasma spp., and 26% (44/169) for D. immitis. No positive dogs for B. burgdorferi antibodies were detected in this study. A statistically significant association was found between dogs seropositive for Ehrlichia spp. and the variables age (p = 0.002), breeding place (p = 0.003), and breed type (p = 0.032). Furthermore, dogs infected with D. immitis were associated with the age (p = 0.001), locality (p < 0.001), and breeding place (p = 0.001). These findings confirm a high prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne diseases affecting domestic dogs in rural areas of northern Peru.