Open Access
Research (Published online: 31-07-2023)
23. Molecular detection of Bartonella and Borrelia in pet dogs in Metro Manila and Laguna, Philippines
Chae Eun Lee, Jeong Hee Ikeda, Mikaella Andrea M. Manongdo, Dan Rica T. Romerosa, Kristina Andrea C. Sandalo-De Ramos, Tetsuya Tanaka, and Remil L. Galay
Veterinary World, 16(7): 1546-1551

Chae Eun Lee: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
Jeong Hee Ikeda: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
Mikaella Andrea M. Manongdo: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
Dan Rica T. Romerosa: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
Kristina Andrea C. Sandalo-De Ramos: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
Tetsuya Tanaka: Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto 1-21-24, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
Remil L. Galay: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1546-1551

Article history: Received: 26-02-2023, Accepted: 12-06-2023, Published online: 31-07-2023

Corresponding authors: Tetsuya Tanaka and Remil L. Galay

E-mail: k6199431@kadai.jp and rlgalay@up.edu.ph

Citation: Lee CE, Ikeda JH, Manongdo MAM, Romerosa DRT, Sandalo-De Ramos KAC, Tanaka T, and Galay RL (2023) Molecular detection of Bartonella and Borrelia in pet dogs in Metro Manila and Laguna, Philippines, Veterinary World, 16(7): 1546-1551.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Bartonella and Borrelia are zoonotic vector-borne pathogens that can infect dogs and humans. Data on Bartonella and Borrelia in dogs in the Philippines are lacking. This study was conducted to validate previous reports and further investigate the occurrence of Bartonella and Borrelia spp. in cities of Metro Manila.

Materials and Methods: A total of 182 canine blood samples were acquired with DNA using a commercial extraction kit from selected veterinary clinics in the cities of Metro Manila and Laguna, Philippines. The mammalian actin was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by PCR assays targeting Bartonella gltA and Borrelia flaB. Further PCR assays targeting 16S of Borrelia and ospA and ospC of Borrelia burgdorferi were performed for those that showed flaB bands.

Results: A positive band for gltA of Bartonella was observed in 9 (4.95%) samples, whereas a positive band for flaB of Borrelia was observed in 15 (8.24%) samples. Subsequent PCR assays for other genes of Borrelia were negative.

Conclusion: These results confirmed the presence of Bartonella and warranted further investigation for the possible presence of other Borrelia species.

Keywords: Bartonella, Borrelia, dogs, polymerase chain reaction, tick-borne pathogens.