Serological survey for antibodies against Mycobacterium avium complex in hunting dogs in East-Central Portugal

Abstract

The Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) causes infections and diseases in humans, birds, livestock, and wildlife, among others. In dogs, MAC infection is not frequent; however, due to its potential zoonotic characteristics, mainly in immunocompromised patients, the study of MAC epidemiology is necessary. The aim of this work was to perform a study to detect the presence of antibodies against MAC in serum samples of 53 hunting dogs in the Idanha-a-Nova municipality of East-Central Portugal. A total of 23 dogs were seropositive by commercial ELISA test (43.4%, 95% CI: 30.1%-56.7%). Factors such as age, breed, and sex were not significant. The results of the current study indicate that further investigations about the diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of the MAC in dogs must be carried out to highlight its significance in animal and public health.