Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia Coinfection Patterns Among Owned Dogs in Central Thailand

Abstract

Background: Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia have the potential to cause life-threatening illnesses in dogs, especially when coinfections occur. Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine the infection rates, coinfection patterns, and risk factors associated with these pathogens in central Thailand. Animals: Two thousand five hundred nineteen owned dogs presented with clinical abnormalities consistent with tick-borne diseases between 2019 and 2023. Methods: Retrospective study, blood samples were analyzed using multiplex PCR to assess infection rates. The study compared infection rates across different sexes and age groups and tracked monthly variations. Results: A total of 19.02% (95% CI: 17.50–20.60) of dogs were infected by one pathogen infection: Ehrlichia 11.47% (10.25–12.78), Babesia 2.78% (2.17–3.50), and Hepatozoon 1.83% (1.34–2.43). Infections occurred year-round but peaked in May. Coinfections were observed in 2.94% (2.31–3.67) of cases. Among infected dogs, coinfections were identified in 34% (36/106) and 53% (52/98) of dogs with babesiosis or hepatozoonosis, respectively, whereas 19% (69/358) of dogs with ehrlichiosis were co-infected. Coinfections peaked in April, occurred in all age groups, and were more frequent in dogs younger than 1 year compared to dogs older than 7 years. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive diagnostic testing for multiple pathogens and tick prevention in dogs living in this region.