Page 94 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Winter 2014

The overall canine tick-borne pathogen point prevalence Ehrlichia spp. and a high sample prevalence of Ana-
(infection with one or more tick-borne pathogens) in Bar- plasma spp. A limitation of the 2011 study was that
10
ranquilla, Colombia, was 85.3% (186 of 218 samples). the IDEXX SNAP 4Dx Test was used, which could
®
®
Comparing the three populations, 98% (99 of 101) of not differentiate between A. phagocytophilum and A.
the canines from the regional community shelters, 90% platys. In this study, we used the research SNAP Multi-
®
(63 of 70) of the military working dogs, and 51% (24 analyte Prototype Test combined with advanced lab-
17
of 47) of client-owned canines were seropositive and/or oratory methods to differentiate the two Anaplasma
PCR positive for E. canis and/or A. platys (Table 2). species. These methods demonstrate that the Anaplasma
spp. infections are primarily A. platys.
Table 2 Number of Canines Seropositive and/or PCR
Positive for Ehrlichia canis and/or Anaplasma platys The results from this current point prevalence survey
Seropositive and/ Point expound upon the results from the earlier general sur-
or PCR Positive/ Prevalence, veillance study. These data elucidate the seroprevalence
Canine Population All Tested Dogs % of specific species of tick-borne pathogens in this region
Shelter dogs 99/101 98 of Colombia and, importantly, identify significant levels
of bacteremia in this canine population. This indicates
Military working dogs 63/70 90
that these dogs serve as a substantial reservoir for these
Client-owned dogs 24/47 51 rickettsial agents and could serve as a source for increas-
Note: PCR, polymerase chain reaction. ing pathogen prevalence in tick vectors and elevating
the risk of contracting vector-borne agents in people
and dogs. Results concluded this to be most critical in
Discussion
dogs in kennel environments such as shelters or military
The Atlántico Department of northern Colombia and working dog kennels. Tick-borne pathogens E. canis and
its capital city, Barranquilla, was selected to provide a A. platys are primarily associated with clinical disease in
greater level of tick-borne surveillance data from this dogs. This high level of exposure along with the docu-
region of the country. Barranquilla (latitude: 10°53'N, mentation of E. canis infection and infection with an “A.
longitude: 74°46'47"W, elevation: 98 feet [30m]) is platys-like” organism in people in South America war-
Colombia’s largest Caribbean coastal city and port lo- rants precautionary measures for both dogs and people.
cated near the air base in Malambo, not far from the
Venezuelan border. This region is home to one of the
country’s largest working-dog training sites and kennels. Conclusion
Colombian working dogs are trained at this site and de- The results of this tick-borne pathogen, point prevalence
ployed throughout the country for explosive detection survey reinforce the prior surveillance data demonstrat-
and counter-narcotic duties. ing the presence of tick-borne pathogens in Barranquilla,
Colombia. Findings such as these and others confirm
As Colombia’s most populous city of the Caribbean the critical need for continual field surveillance for VBD
27
Coast region and bolstering one of the country’s high- present in animals. These types of surveillance stud-
est population densities, Barranquilla is at sea level with ies for tick-borne pathogens and the resultant data con-
a hot, humid, year-round tropical climate. Tropical hu- tinually demonstrate the value of determining disease
mid climates provide an adequate environment for the prevalence to develop risk assessments and implement
presence of vectors such as ticks and mosquitoes. 11,18 In timely preventive medicine and other control measures
South America, tick vectors such as Rhipicephalus san- with the intent of preserving health. The two studies in
guineous (brown dog tick) and Ixodes spp. ticks have Colombia, back-to-back and in conjunction with each
been documented. The documented presence of these other, substantiate the importance of conducting initial
13
tick vectors is significant, as R. sanguineus ticks are baseline surveillance studies in areas of concern and fol-
primary vectors for E. canis and A. platys, and Ixodes lowing up with more in-depth point prevalence surveys
spp. ticks are vectors for A. phagocytophilum and B. and advanced laboratory analyses of collected samples.
burgdorferi. 19–21 These favorable climatic conditions and Ultimately, the immediate importance to medical and
vectors known to be present make VBD more likely. Special Operations Forces (SOF) planners is the knowl-
22
Published findings from people and surveillance in dogs edge that this area’s high levels of exposure warrant pre-
in South America reinforce this further. 12,23–26 cautionary measures for military dogs, SOF personnel,
and the local public.
Barranquilla was included for these and the other out-
lined reasons in the initial 2011 surveillance study of
3
three Colombian cities. The 2011 study determined Disclosures
Barranquilla to have the highest sample prevalence of The authors have nothing to disclose.

84 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 14, Edition 4/Winter 2014