Prevalence of Zoonotic Pathogens by Molecular Detection in Stray Dogs in Central Taiwan

MUIR > Graduate Institute of Health Care > Department of Beauty Science > Papers > Item 987654321/2620

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://ir.meiho.edu.tw/ir/handle/987654321/2620

Title:	Prevalence of Zoonotic Pathogens by Molecular Detection in Stray Dogs in Central Taiwan
Authors:	Chum-Hung Chou;Tsung-Ming Yeh;Yi-Ping Lu;Wen-Ling Shih;Ching-Dong Chang;Chi-Hsien Chien;Shyh-Shyan Liu;Hung-Yi Wu;Feng-Jen Tsai;Han Hsiang Huang;Ming-Hui Liao
Contributors:	健康暨護理學院
Keywords:	heartworm disease;Q fever;leptospirosis;Lyme disease;stray dogs in Taiwan;toxoplasmosis
Date:	2014
Issue Date:	2014-11-13T02:04:25Z (UTC)
Abstract:	This study investigated the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in stray dogs including toxoplasmosis, heartworm disease, Lyme disease, leptospirosis and Q fever in central Taiwan (Taichung, Changhua and Yunlin County) using nested, semi-nested or traditional polymerase chain reaction. Associations between prevalence of the infections and demiographic data of stray dogs in central Taiwan were also analyzed. Blood samples were randomly collected from stray dogs every month from August 2009 to July 2011. Total DNA extracted from blood samples ranged from 0.8 to 1.5 g as the sensitivity of PCR ranged from 10 fg to 100 pg. For the PCR primers no cross-reaction was found between the nucleic acids of interest and DNA extracted from Ehrlichia cani, Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni. The prevalence rates of 5 zoonotic diseases in the stray dogs were as follow: Toxoplasma gondii 3.89 % (28/720), Dirofilaria immitis 7.22% (52/720), Borrelia burgdorferi 5.42% (39/720), Leptospira spp. 7.22% (52/720), and Coxiella burnetii 5.83% (42/720). The association analysis between the prevalence rates and epidemiological data of stray dogs as well as sampling season showed that the prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leptospira spp. were correlated with the age and season but not with breed and gender. The prevalence rate of Dirofilaria immitis species was associated with breed and the season but not with gender and age while the prevalence rate of Coxiella burnetii was linked with the season but not with breed, gender and age. Our study reveals the prevalence of toxoplasmosis, heartworm disease, Lyme disease, leptospirosis and Q fever in stray dogs in Taiwan and provides crucial information for prevention and control of zoonotic diseases in Taiwan and neighboring areas and countries.
Appears in Collections:	[Department of Beauty Science] Papers

Files in This Item:

File	Description	Size	Format
TJVM_44_3_September_2014.pdf		987Kb	Adobe PDF	0	View/Open

View Licence

Loading...