Prevalence of canine vector-borne blood parasites in the plain regions of Cambodia

Abstract

Canine vector-borne blood parasites (CVBP) cause various diseases in dogs. The aim of this study was to survey canine blood parasites in the plain regions of Cambodia. The study was conducted from November 2014 to September 2015. A total of 455 blood samples were collected from rural and urban areas in the plain regions of Cambodia. Six infected dogs were found (1.32%), with the following parasites: Dirofilaria immitis (2/6), Brugia pahangi (1/6), Babesia vogeli (1/6) and two co-infections of Ehrlichia canis with Anaplasma platys (1/6) and Babesia vogeli with Anaplasma platys (1/6). However, the rate of detection of blood parasitic infections depended on the diagnostic technique used. The prevalence of parasites indicated low levels of infection among dogs in the plain regions of Cambodia. However, Brugia infection and filariasis can cause zoonotic disease, so their detection is a cause for concern. Further research on vector borne transmission and control in the plain regions of Cambodia is required to understand these diseases, not only in dogs but also in other animals.