Next-generation sequencing metabarcoding assays reveal diverse bacterial vector-borne pathogens of Mongolian dogs.

Bacterial vector-borne pathogens (BVBPs) negatively impact canine health worldwide, with several also being zoonotic, posing an additional disease risk to humans. To date, BVBPs have been reported in humans and various sylvatic and domestic animal hosts across multiple Mongolian aimags (provinces); however, there has been no published data on these pathogens within Mongolia's canine populations. Collection of such data is important given Mongolia's size, diverse number of climatic regions, and large population of dogs, most of which closely share their environment with humans and livestock.

Knowledge of Mongolian veterinarians towards canine vector-borne diseases.

Mongolia is an expansive nation, dominated by agriculture with livestock under nomadic herder care contributing significantly to the economy. Mongolian veterinarians service these herder's livestock and dogs, and are often the first point of contact for animal health advice, including ectoparasite prophylaxis. Dogs are competent reservoir and sentinel hosts for several zoonotic vector-borne diseases (VBD).