Characterization of the genetics and epidemiology of Brugia sp. in domestic dogs in Chad, Africa

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases pose a threat to domestic animal health, as domestic animals can serve as reservoirs for certain zoonotic parasitic infections, including Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) and lymphatic filariasis. Surveillance for these parasites in domestic animals is needed to understand infection prevalence and transmission cycles, with the goal of instituting appropriate interventions. The goal of this research was to report our finding of Brugia sp. infection in dogs from Chad, Africa, and to characterize the genetics and epidemiology of the parasite. During a recent Chadian canine pathogen surveillance project, we identified Brugia sp. infections in a total of 46 out of 428 dogs (10.7%) sampled at three time points in 2019-2020. We found high levels of sequence similarity to B. malayi and B. pahangi based on amplification of 18S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA, and ITS-2 regions. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences placed the Chadian Brugia sp. in a clade with other Brugia spp. but grouped it separately from both B. malayi and B. pahangi. Analysis of Hha I sequences showed the greatest similarity with B. patei, a parasite previously reported from dogs, cats, and wildlife hosts in Kenya. Epidemiologic analysis using generalized linear regression modeling found significantly higher odds of Brugia sp. detection among dogs in villages in southern Chad compared to those in the northern region. Further, within the northern region, there were higher odds of detection in the dry season, compared to the wet season, which is consistent with the ecology of a presumably mosquito-borne parasite. The same 428 dogs were tested for Dirofilaria immitis antigen using a commercial assay (IDEXX SNAP 4Dx) at the earliest time point of the study, with 119 dogs testing positive. However, no association was noted between Brugia infection and a dog being positive for Di. immitis antigen, with only seven of the 119 Di. immitis antigen-positive dogs being Brugia-positive. This is the first report of Brugia sp. in domestic dogs in Chad and additional research is needed to definitively identify the species present, elucidate transmission, and understand potential risks to canine and human health.

Keywords: Brugia; Chad; Domestic dog; Dracunculus; Guinea worm; Mosquito-borne pathogen.