D3027: Exposure to Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., and other vector-borne pathogens in military, police, shelter, and pet dogs in different regions of Colombia

Background: As vector-borne diseases (VBD) continue to rise, U.S. military working dogs and handlers are at increased risks of exposure during recurring missions to Colombia. Little is known regarding the burden of VBD in Colombian working dogs. The objectives of the study reported here were to estimate and compare the frequency of dogs with positive antibody titers to Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Leishmania spp., antibodies and Dirofilaria immitis antigen between military, police, shelter, and pet dogs and to examine the association between seropositivity to selected pathogens and occupation in study dogs. Methods: 1,392 dogs were sampled in six different geographic locations in Colombia during 2011-18. Results: The frequency of dogs with positive antibody titers to Ehrlichia spp. was higher in shelter dogs, compared to military dogs, police dogs, or pet dogs. In 2011, among police dogs, the odds of seropositivity to Ehrlichia spp. were 37 times higher in Cartagena compared to Medellín, after controlling for age. Among police dogs, the odds of seropositivity to Anaplasma spp. were 13 times higher in Cartagena, compared to Medellín, after controlling for age. The frequency of dogs in all four occupations exposed to B. burgdorferi, D. immitis, or Leishmania spp was low. Conclusion: Exposure to Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in military dogs and police dogs was similar compared to pet dogs, and lower compared to shelter dogs. Among police dogs, exposure to Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. was higher in Cartagena, compared to Medellín, after controlling for age.