Molecular detection of Anaplasma spp. in domestics dogs from urban areas of Soledad, Atlantico, Colombia.

Tick-borne pathogens are etiological agents of some zoonotic diseases, causing important consequences in animal and human health. These are emerging around the world, especially in tropical countries including Colombia. Domestic dogs play an essential role in the epidemiology of several zoonotic tick-borne pathogens. We performed the detection of bacteria from Anaplasmataceae family and parasites from the Piroplasmida order, in 85 domestic dogs from Soledad municipality, Atlantico, Colombia. Peripheral blood smears, detection by duplex PCR assay (ss rRNA 16S, from bacteria and the ITS-1, of ribosomal DNA from parasites), and DNA sequencing by Sanger method were done. Taxonomic identification was made by phylogenetics analysis of the DNA sequences. The gene sequences analysis showed that 12.9% of the dogs were infected with Anaplasma spp. Infection was higher in young dogs (OR=4.72, 95%CI 1.267-17.584). Besides that, 3.5% of them showed inclusions (morulae) compatible with bacteria from the order Rickettsiales. A coinfection with Babesia spp. and a Rickettsiales bacterial pathogens was found. The frequency of Anaplasma spp. detected in domestic dogs in Soledad highlights the need to improve diagnosis and control measures, to prevent the risk of transmission of these pathogens among ticks, dogs and humans exposed in the area.