Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2018-04-24T14:41:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Nadine Louise Nicolau da Cruz.pdf: 1106463 bytes, checksum: 135073492c833a4ead6aea7dba9b68cb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-24T14:41:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nadine Louise Nicolau da Cruz.pdf: 1106463 bytes, checksum: 135073492c833a4ead6aea7dba9b68cb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Dirofilaria immitis is a nematode responsible for cardiopulmonary infection in canine and feline. In Brazil, a growing number of infected dogs have been reported, however, most of them do not show any apparent clinical signs, but laboratory changes can be found. The complementary exams are essential, together with the historic and physical examination, for the evaluation of the clinical state of the animal before adulticide treatment. The only recognized treatment is melarsomine dihydrochlorid, but in addition to causing thromboembolism in treated animals is not available in the brazilian market, leading some authors to study alternative treatments using tetracyclines and macrocyclic lactones. Thus objective of this work was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical alterations, besides the efficacy of the macrocyclic lactones in association with tetracyclines in dogs naturally infected with D. immitis. We analyzed 51 serologically positive animals, domiciled, of both sexes, without racial criteria, more than six months of age, negative for hematozoas in parasitological examination, as well animals that have not used doxycycline and macrocyclic lactones in the last six months. All were submitted to parasitological examination, where they were divided into microfilaremic and amicrofilaremic groups. Hematological and biochemical parameters were interpreted based on reference values. Of the 51 animals, 35.3% were microfilaremic and 64.7% were amicrofilaremic. In both groups, was observed microcytosis, eosinophilia and hypoproteinemia without statistical differences. The monocytes were within the reference values, but showed a statistical difference between the groups, with a greater amount in the microfilaremic group, and the thrombocytopenia was found only in the amicrofilaremic group with statistical difference. However the average of the biochemical values were within normal values and without statistical differences between the groups. For the treatment, six dogs were used, from the ambulatory care of the Veterinary Hospital in UFRPE, of these 50% females, all of them of varied races and adults. They were evaluated from the clinical point of view, submitted to the serological examination SNAP ® 4DX, DPP® rapid test for Visceral Canine Leishmaniasis, and parasitological research for hematozoas and circulating microfilariae. The animals were submitted to treatment protocol with Doxycycline at a dose of 5mg / kg every 12 hours for 30 days, and thereafter ivermectin at a dose of 0.006mg / kg once a month for an indeterminate time. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment in moments zero, six months and twelve months post treatment. In addition, hematological and biochemical tests were performed at all times and every six months serological and parasitological tests for the detection of circulating antigens and microfilaria, respectively. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the hematological and biochemical values are fundamental because they provide the clinical veterinarian important subsidies to evaluate the clinical conditions, stage of the disease and prognosis, helping to define the best therapeutic behavior. In addition, the results of the treatment protocol showed that the association used led to the death of adult and microfilaria parasites, but only 50% of the animals were negative for circulating antigens at the end of the 12 months of treatment. / Dirofilaria immitis é um nematódeo responsável por infecção cardiopulmonar em caninos e felinos. No Brasil tem sido relatado um número crescente de cães infectados, entretanto a maioria deles não apresentam sinais clínicos aparentes, porém alterações laboratoriais podem ser encontradas. Sendo os exames complementares essenciais, junto com o histórico e exame físico, para a avaliação do estado clínico do animal antes do tratamento adulticida. O único tratamento reconhecido é o dicloridrato de melarsomina, porém além de causar tromboembolismo nos animais tratados não se encontra disponível no mercado brasileiro, levando alguns autores a estudar tratamentos alternativos, utilizando tetraciclinas e lactonas macrocíclicas. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas, além da eficácia das lactonas macrocíclicas em associação com tetraciclinas em cães naturalmente infectados com D. immitis. Para avaliação hematológica foram analisados 51 animais sorologicamente positivos, domiciliados, de ambos os sexos, sem critério racial, idade superior a seis meses, negativos para hematozoários no exame parasitológico, bem como animais que não fizeram uso de doxiciclina e lactonas macrocíclicas nos últimos seis meses. Todos foram submetidos ao exame parasitológico, onde foram divididos em grupos microfilarêmicos e amicrofilarêmicos. Os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos foram interpretados baseados nos valores de referência. Dos 51 animais, 35,3% (18) eram microfilarêmicos e 64,7% (33) amicrofilarêmicos. Em ambos os grupos foi observado microcitose, eosinofilia e hiperproteinemia sem diferenças estatísticas. Os monócitos estavam dentro dos valores de referência, porém apresentaram diferença estatística entre os grupos, com maior quantidade no grupo microfilarêmico, além disso, foi encontrado trombocitopenia apenas no grupo amicrofilarêmico com diferença estatística. Entretanto a média dos valores bioquímicos estavam dentro dos valores de normalidade e sem diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos. Para a realização do tratamento foram utilizados seis cães, provenientes do atendimento ambulatorial do Hospital Veterinário da UFRPE, destes 50% fêmeas, todos de raças variadas e adultos. Foram avaliados do ponto de vista clínico, submetidos ao exame sorológico SNAP ® 4DX, teste rápido DPP® para Leishmaniose Visceral Canina, e pesquisa parasitológica de hematozoários e microfilárias circulantes. Os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo de tratamento com doxiciclina na dose de 5mg/kg a cada 12 horas durante 30 dias, e posteriormente ivermectina na dose de 0,006mg/kg uma vez por mês, por tempo indeterminado. Para avaliação da eficácia do tratamento foram realizadas avaliações clínicas e laboratoriais nos momentos zero, seis meses e doze meses pós tratamento. Além disso, em todos os momentos foram realizados exames hematológicos e bioquímicos e a cada seis meses testes sorológico e parasitológico para detecção de antígenos e microfilárias circulantes, respectivamente. De acordo com o exposto, pode-se concluir que os valores hematológicos e bioquímicos são fundamentais pois fornecem ao clínico veterinário subsídios importantes para avaliar as condições clínicas, estágio da doença e prognóstico, auxiliando a definir a melhor conduta terapêutica. Além disso, os resultados do protocolo de tratamento mostraram que a associação utilizada levou a morte de parasitos adultos e microfilárias, contudo apenas 50% dos animais foram negativos para antígenos circulantes ao final dos 12 meses de tratamento.

Die vorliegende epidemiologische Studie umfaßte 153 Hunde aus der Nähe von Athen, Griechenland. Um die Prävalenz arthropogener Infektionen abschätzen zu können, wurden Serumproben auf Antikörper gegen Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis und Borrelia burgdorferi sowie auf Antigene von Dirofilaria immitis überprüft. Blutausstriche wurden auf das Vorkommen von Babesia canis und Hepatozoon canis untersucht. Außerdem wurden von den Hunden abgesammelte Zecken bestimmt. Bei 126 Hunden erfolgte eine klinische Allgemeinuntersuchung. Des weiteren wurden die serologischen Testverfahren ELISA und IFAT für den Nachweis von Antikörpern gegen Borrelia burgdorferi miteinander verglichen. Insgesamt waren 94 (61,4 %) der 153 untersuchten Hunde infiziert, 63 (41,2 %) Hunde wiesen Antikörper gegen Ehrlichia canis auf. Infektionen mit Borrelia burgdorferi wurden im ELISA insgesamt bei 43 (28,1 %), im IFAT bei 35 (22,9 %) Tieren nachgewiesen. Außerdem konnte bei 28 (18,3 %) Tieren eine Infektion mit Leishmania infantum und bei 20 (13,1 %) mit Dirofilaria immitis gefunden werden. Ein Nachweis von Babesia canis im Blutausstrich gelang bei vier (2,6 %) Hunden, von Hepatozoon canis nur bei einem (0,7 %) Hund. Für keinen der untersuchten Infektionserreger konnten signifikante Alters-, Geschlechts- oder Rasseprädispositionen festgestellt werden. Die Infektionsraten mit Leishmanien, Babesien, Dirofilarien und Borrelien waren bei den im Tierheim lebenden Hunden geringer als bei den Streunern. Vierundvierzig (28,8 %) der 153 getesteten Hunde waren gleichzeitig mit zwei, drei oder vier durch Arthropoden übertragene Erregerarten infiziert. Zweifachinfektionen kamen bei 29 (19,0 %), Dreifachinfektionen bei sieben (4,6 %) und Vierfachinfektionen bei acht (5,2 %) Tieren vor. In der Regel war das Risiko für Hunde, einen Erreger zu beherbergen, höher, wenn bereits eine Infektion mit einem anderen Erreger vorhanden war. Insgesamt waren 28 (18,3 %) Streuner und 15 (9,8 %) Tierheimhunde von Mehrfachinfektionen betroffen. Von den 94 mit mindestens einem der berücksichtigten Erreger infizierten Hunden wurden 75 (79,8 %) einer klinischen Untersuchung unterzogen. Dreiunddreißig (44,0 %) dieser Tiere zeigten Krankheitserscheinungen. Bei 21 (67,7 %) der 31 klinisch untersuchten und mit mehreren Erregern gleichzeitig infizierten Hunde konnten Krankheitssymptome diagnostiziert werden. Von 44 klinisch untersuchten Tieren, die nur mit einem Erreger infiziert waren, zeigten 12 (27,3 %) klinische Symptome. Die diagnostizierten Symptome waren bei allen untersuchten Erregern von einer starken Variabilität geprägt. Die Übereinstimmung der Testsysteme IFAT und ELISA für den Nachweis von Antikörpern gegen Borrelia burgdorferi lag bei 92,2 %. Die Testverfahren sind damit als nahezu gleichwertig anzusehen, wobei der ELISA etwas sensitiver zu sein scheint. Eine Infektionsgefahr besteht demnach in Griechenland vor allem für Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi und Leishmania infantum, aber auch für Infektionen mit Dirofilaria immitis besteht ein Risiko. Infektionen mit Babesia canis kommen in dieser Region seltener vor, es muss jedoch insbesondere bei geschwächten oder in Deutschland geborenen und somit hochempfänglichen Tieren mit Erkrankungen gerechnet werden. Hepatozoon canis ist nach den vorliegenden Ergebnissen in der Umgebung von Athen von geringer Verbreitung. Ein Rückschluß vom klinischen Bild auf das Vorliegen einer Infektion mit einem bestimmten Erreger kann aufgrund der Variabilität der Symptome in Verbindung mit häufig auftretenden Mehrfachinfektionen nicht gezogen werden. Die Möglichkeit von gleichzeitig vorliegenden Infektionen sollte in der Diagnostik und Therapie unbedingt berücksichtigt werden. Gute Haltungsbedingungen und eine tierärztliche Überwachung und Prophylaxe reduzieren offensichtlich die Inzidenz von Infektionen mit arthropodenübertragenen Erregern. Die überwiegende Anzahl (449 von 457 Exemplaren) der bestimmten Zecken gehörte der Art Rhipicephalus sanguineus an. Es wurden sechs Nymphen und 443 adulte Tiere gefunden. Die adulten Tiere verteilten sich auf 243 männliche und 200 weibliche Zecken. Bei acht Zecken handelte es sich um weibliche Ixodes ricinus. Bei aus Griechenland stammenden Hunden wie auch bei Tieren, die sich reisebegleitend dort aufgehalten haben, muss mit einer starken Infestation mit Rhipicephalus sanguineus gerechnet werden. Da Rhipicephalus sanguineus der Vektor für Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis vogeli und Hepatozoon canis ist, sollten Prophylaxemaßnahmen eine geeignete Zeckenbekämpfung einbeziehen. / 153 dogs from the environs of Athens, Greece, were surveyed for tick infestation and arthropod borne infections. Serology was performed for Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi and bloodfilms were microscopically examined for Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis. Ticks collected from the dogs were differentiated. 126 dogs underwent clinical examination. Suitability of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFAT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi was compared. Altogether 94 (61.4 %) dogs were infected with an arthropod borne pathogen, 63 (41.2 %) produced antibodies to Ehrlicha canis. ELISA detected Borrelia burgdorferi infection in 43 (28.1 %) dogs while IFAT was positive in 35 (22.9 %). 28 (18.3 %) dogs were infected with Leishmania infantum and 20 (13.1 %) with Dirofilaria immitis. Babesia canis was found in blood smears of four (2.6 %) dogs, Hepatozoon canis was detected only in one case (0,7 %). No association was found between the breed, age or sex of the dogs and any of the tested pathogens. The rate of infection with Leishmania, Babesia, Dirofilaria or Borrelia was lower in dogs living in the animal shelter than in those living as strays. 44 (28.8 %) of the 153 dogs examined were infected concurrently with two (n = 29, 19,0 %), three (n = 7, 4,6 %) or four (n = 8, 5,2 %) arthropod borne pathogens. In general the risk of infection was higher in dogs that were already infected with another pathogen. Altogether 28 (18.3 %) of the strays and 15 (9.8 %) of the dogs living in the animal shelter had a multiple infection. 75 of the 94 dogs infected with at least one of the tested pathogens were examined clinically. 33 (44.0 %) showed clinical symptoms. In 21 (67,7 %) of the 31 clinically examined dogs with multiple infection symptoms of disease were diagnosed. Twelve (27.3 %) of the 44 clinically examined dogs that were only infected with one pathogen had symptoms of some kind. Clinical symptoms varied considerably irrespective of the causative agent. The concordance of the IFAT and the ELISA for the diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi was 92.2 %. The serologic diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi with IFAT or ELISA can be regarded similarly suitable although ELISA seems to be somewhat more sensitive. In conclusion the risk of infection in Greece is particularly high for Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis as well. Babesia canis is obviously transmitted less. However dogs in poor condition or born in non endemic areas may acquire babesiosis in Greece. According to the results of this study Hepatozoon canis seems to be of negligible relevance in Greece. Due to the variability of the clinical symptoms and the frequent occurrence of multiple infections diagnosis based on the clinical picture only is not possible. Multiple infections should also be considered with respect to treatment. Infections with arthropod borne pathogens seem to occur less often in prophylactically treated dogs living under good conditions. Most of the examined ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (449 out of 457 specimens). Six nymphs and 419 adults were found. Of the adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks 243 were males and 200 were females. Eight of the ticks were female Ixodes ricinus. In dogs originating from Greece as well as in dogs having accompanied tourists into Greece infestation with Rhipicephalus sanguineus is probable. As Rhipicephalus sanguineus is known to transmit Ehrlicha canis, Babesia canis vogeli and Hepatozoon canis prophylactic measures should include a suitable tick-control.

Filarial parasites are a type of nematode that requires arthropod vectors for transmission between hosts. Filarial parasites vary among species of vertebrate hosts and can cause varying symptoms in hosts, including death. The presence of filarial parasites can influence host populations and can be costly to infected areas. To evaluate the prevalence of filarial parasites in Lake County, CA, mosquitoes were collected in 2014 and analyzed for infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of 1,008 mosquito pools, six filarial parasite species were detected in 23 pools representing six mosquito species. The DNA of Dirofilaria immitis (n=6, MIR=0.26); Setaria yehi (n=9, MIR=1.44); Splendidofilaria sp. (n=4, MIR=0.20); unknown filarial parasites A (n=2, MIR=0.09), B (n=1, MIR=0.41), and C (n=1, MIR=0.05) were detected in Aedes increpitus, Aedes sierrensis, Anopheles franciscanus, Anopheles freeborni, Culex stigmatosoma, and Culex tarsalis mosquito pools. Due to the presence of D. immitis, which can lead to chronic illness and death in domestic dogs, in Lake County it is important to evaluate vector competency of D. immitis in mosquito species. Culex tarsalis was chosen due to the high abundance found in Lake County in 2014 (n=36,587). To evaluate vector competency of Cx. tarsalis in transmission of D. immitis, colony and field-caught Lake County (n=102, n=54 respectively) mosquitoes were analyzed for infectivity using decapitation. Fourteen days post feeding on infected blood, mosquitoes were decapitated to evaluate the presence of L 3 larvae; but no L 3 larvae were detected. The presence of D. immitis DNA was detected in eight colony (IR=7.8%) and fifteen field-caught (IR=23.1%) thoraces using PCR. Though no L 3 larvae were observed in decapitated mosquitoes, presence of D. immitis DNA in the thoraces of mosquitoes using PCR has previously been used as an indicator for vector competency. Thus it is probable that Cx. tarsalis is a competent vector for D. immitis.

Dirofilaria immitis Leidy (dog heartworm) is a life-threatening parasite transmitted by mosquitoes to domestic dogs. Endemic in the eastern United States, cases have become more prevalent over the last few decades. While prevalence in California is generally low, Lake and San Joaquin Counties have reported rates comparable to the East Coast at 3.73% and 0.71%(CAPC 2017), respectively. Aedes sierrensis is thought to be responsible for transmission in California, but in some cases, it exists in inadequate quantities and temporal ranges to explain parasite activity. Based on Huang et al. (2013) and Tran (2016), bloodfeeding patterns, and other vector criteria, Culex pipiens complex and Culiseta incidens were chosen to evaluate for vector competence. Female field-caught mosquitoes were reared, infected (2.5-5 mff/μl), and decapitated at 15, 18, or 21 days post infection (dpi). Cs. incidens was reluctant to feed using an artificial feeding system and will require additional trials. On the contrary, trials on Ae. sierrensis and Cx. pipiens complex were both completed successfully. Both species were determined to be competent vectors of D. immitis. Based on our findings, more than half of Ae. sierrensis females produced emerging L3s by 21 dpi, while Cx. pipiens complex never produced L3s in more than 5% of females. In conjunction with other factors such as the detection of D. immitis in wild mosquitoes, host-seeking preferences for domestic dogs, and appropriate temporal overlap, this suggests that both Ae. sierrensis and Cx. pipiens complex may play central roles in Lake or San Joaquin Counties, CA when abundant. Targeted control efforts are necessary to reduce the incidence of canine heartworm in these areas. While Lake and San Joaquin Counties, CA were the focus of this study, our results may be applicable to the western United States when these species are relevant.

Die vorliegende epidemiologische Studie umfaßte 153 Hunde aus der Nähe von Athen, Griechenland. Um die Prävalenz arthropogener Infektionen abschätzen zu können, wurden Serumproben auf Antikörper gegen Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis und Borrelia burgdorferi sowie auf Antigene von Dirofilaria immitis überprüft. Blutausstriche wurden auf das Vorkommen von Babesia canis und Hepatozoon canis untersucht. Außerdem wurden von den Hunden abgesammelte Zecken bestimmt. Bei 126 Hunden erfolgte eine klinische Allgemeinuntersuchung. Des weiteren wurden die serologischen Testverfahren ELISA und IFAT für den Nachweis von Antikörpern gegen Borrelia burgdorferi miteinander verglichen. Insgesamt waren 94 (61,4 %) der 153 untersuchten Hunde infiziert, 63 (41,2 %) Hunde wiesen Antikörper gegen Ehrlichia canis auf. Infektionen mit Borrelia burgdorferi wurden im ELISA insgesamt bei 43 (28,1 %), im IFAT bei 35 (22,9 %) Tieren nachgewiesen. Außerdem konnte bei 28 (18,3 %) Tieren eine Infektion mit Leishmania infantum und bei 20 (13,1 %) mit Dirofilaria immitis gefunden werden. Ein Nachweis von Babesia canis im Blutausstrich gelang bei vier (2,6 %) Hunden, von Hepatozoon canis nur bei einem (0,7 %) Hund. Für keinen der untersuchten Infektionserreger konnten signifikante Alters-, Geschlechts- oder Rasseprädispositionen festgestellt werden. Die Infektionsraten mit Leishmanien, Babesien, Dirofilarien und Borrelien waren bei den im Tierheim lebenden Hunden geringer als bei den Streunern. Vierundvierzig (28,8 %) der 153 getesteten Hunde waren gleichzeitig mit zwei, drei oder vier durch Arthropoden übertragene Erregerarten infiziert. Zweifachinfektionen kamen bei 29 (19,0 %), Dreifachinfektionen bei sieben (4,6 %) und Vierfachinfektionen bei acht (5,2 %) Tieren vor. In der Regel war das Risiko für Hunde, einen Erreger zu beherbergen, höher, wenn bereits eine Infektion mit einem anderen Erreger vorhanden war. Insgesamt waren 28 (18,3 %) Streuner und 15 (9,8 %) Tierheimhunde von Mehrfachinfektionen betroffen. Von den 94 mit mindestens einem der berücksichtigten Erreger infizierten Hunden wurden 75 (79,8 %) einer klinischen Untersuchung unterzogen. Dreiunddreißig (44,0 %) dieser Tiere zeigten Krankheitserscheinungen. Bei 21 (67,7 %) der 31 klinisch untersuchten und mit mehreren Erregern gleichzeitig infizierten Hunde konnten Krankheitssymptome diagnostiziert werden. Von 44 klinisch untersuchten Tieren, die nur mit einem Erreger infiziert waren, zeigten 12 (27,3 %) klinische Symptome. Die diagnostizierten Symptome waren bei allen untersuchten Erregern von einer starken Variabilität geprägt. Die Übereinstimmung der Testsysteme IFAT und ELISA für den Nachweis von Antikörpern gegen Borrelia burgdorferi lag bei 92,2 %. Die Testverfahren sind damit als nahezu gleichwertig anzusehen, wobei der ELISA etwas sensitiver zu sein scheint. Eine Infektionsgefahr besteht demnach in Griechenland vor allem für Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi und Leishmania infantum, aber auch für Infektionen mit Dirofilaria immitis besteht ein Risiko. Infektionen mit Babesia canis kommen in dieser Region seltener vor, es muss jedoch insbesondere bei geschwächten oder in Deutschland geborenen und somit hochempfänglichen Tieren mit Erkrankungen gerechnet werden. Hepatozoon canis ist nach den vorliegenden Ergebnissen in der Umgebung von Athen von geringer Verbreitung. Ein Rückschluß vom klinischen Bild auf das Vorliegen einer Infektion mit einem bestimmten Erreger kann aufgrund der Variabilität der Symptome in Verbindung mit häufig auftretenden Mehrfachinfektionen nicht gezogen werden. Die Möglichkeit von gleichzeitig vorliegenden Infektionen sollte in der Diagnostik und Therapie unbedingt berücksichtigt werden. Gute Haltungsbedingungen und eine tierärztliche Überwachung und Prophylaxe reduzieren offensichtlich die Inzidenz von Infektionen mit arthropodenübertragenen Erregern. Die überwiegende Anzahl (449 von 457 Exemplaren) der bestimmten Zecken gehörte der Art Rhipicephalus sanguineus an. Es wurden sechs Nymphen und 443 adulte Tiere gefunden. Die adulten Tiere verteilten sich auf 243 männliche und 200 weibliche Zecken. Bei acht Zecken handelte es sich um weibliche Ixodes ricinus. Bei aus Griechenland stammenden Hunden wie auch bei Tieren, die sich reisebegleitend dort aufgehalten haben, muss mit einer starken Infestation mit Rhipicephalus sanguineus gerechnet werden. Da Rhipicephalus sanguineus der Vektor für Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis vogeli und Hepatozoon canis ist, sollten Prophylaxemaßnahmen eine geeignete Zeckenbekämpfung einbeziehen. / 153 dogs from the environs of Athens, Greece, were surveyed for tick infestation and arthropod borne infections. Serology was performed for Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi and bloodfilms were microscopically examined for Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis. Ticks collected from the dogs were differentiated. 126 dogs underwent clinical examination. Suitability of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFAT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi was compared. Altogether 94 (61.4 %) dogs were infected with an arthropod borne pathogen, 63 (41.2 %) produced antibodies to Ehrlicha canis. ELISA detected Borrelia burgdorferi infection in 43 (28.1 %) dogs while IFAT was positive in 35 (22.9 %). 28 (18.3 %) dogs were infected with Leishmania infantum and 20 (13.1 %) with Dirofilaria immitis. Babesia canis was found in blood smears of four (2.6 %) dogs, Hepatozoon canis was detected only in one case (0,7 %). No association was found between the breed, age or sex of the dogs and any of the tested pathogens. The rate of infection with Leishmania, Babesia, Dirofilaria or Borrelia was lower in dogs living in the animal shelter than in those living as strays. 44 (28.8 %) of the 153 dogs examined were infected concurrently with two (n = 29, 19,0 %), three (n = 7, 4,6 %) or four (n = 8, 5,2 %) arthropod borne pathogens. In general the risk of infection was higher in dogs that were already infected with another pathogen. Altogether 28 (18.3 %) of the strays and 15 (9.8 %) of the dogs living in the animal shelter had a multiple infection. 75 of the 94 dogs infected with at least one of the tested pathogens were examined clinically. 33 (44.0 %) showed clinical symptoms. In 21 (67,7 %) of the 31 clinically examined dogs with multiple infection symptoms of disease were diagnosed. Twelve (27.3 %) of the 44 clinically examined dogs that were only infected with one pathogen had symptoms of some kind. Clinical symptoms varied considerably irrespective of the causative agent. The concordance of the IFAT and the ELISA for the diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi was 92.2 %. The serologic diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi with IFAT or ELISA can be regarded similarly suitable although ELISA seems to be somewhat more sensitive. In conclusion the risk of infection in Greece is particularly high for Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis as well. Babesia canis is obviously transmitted less. However dogs in poor condition or born in non endemic areas may acquire babesiosis in Greece. According to the results of this study Hepatozoon canis seems to be of negligible relevance in Greece. Due to the variability of the clinical symptoms and the frequent occurrence of multiple infections diagnosis based on the clinical picture only is not possible. Multiple infections should also be considered with respect to treatment. Infections with arthropod borne pathogens seem to occur less often in prophylactically treated dogs living under good conditions. Most of the examined ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (449 out of 457 specimens). Six nymphs and 419 adults were found. Of the adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks 243 were males and 200 were females. Eight of the ticks were female Ixodes ricinus. In dogs originating from Greece as well as in dogs having accompanied tourists into Greece infestation with Rhipicephalus sanguineus is probable. As Rhipicephalus sanguineus is known to transmit Ehrlicha canis, Babesia canis vogeli and Hepatozoon canis prophylactic measures should include a suitable tick-control.