Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40205569›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Vector-borne pathogens in dogs from the Republic of Kosovo.

Betim Xhekaj, Edwin Kniha, Linda Wiesmüller, Ina Hoxha, Barbara Eigner, Jovana Stefanovska, Aleksandar Cvetkovikj, Kurtesh Sherifi, Hans-Peter Fuehrer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Betim Xhekaj *Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Bulevardi "Bill Clinton", 10000, Pristina, Kosovo.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2757-0591
Edwin Kniha *Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6875-7056
Linda WiesmüllerCentre of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Ina HoxhaCenter for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5217-801X
Barbara EignerCentre of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3812-8383
Jovana StefanovskaDepartment of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1598-7146
Aleksandar CvetkovikjDepartment of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6582-7020
Kurtesh SherifiFaculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Bulevardi "Bill Clinton", 10000, Pristina, Kosovo.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3399-6428
Hans-Peter FuehrerCentre of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria. hans-peter.fuehrer@vetmeduni.ac.at.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4178-0133

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCanine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) are transmitted by arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and phlebotomine sand flies and are of global veterinary and medical importance. Dogs are important reservoir hosts, which may develop potentially life-threatening clinical signs. The Balkan area harbors diverse vector fauna and associated CVBPs, and data, particularly from the Republic of Kosovo, are scarce. Considering the high number of stray and privately owned dogs primarily kept outside, living in close contact with dogs might promote spillover of zoonotic pathogens to human populations. To combat these diseases, a One Health approach is required. Therefore, our study molecularly analyzed samples of dogs for CVBP.

methodsBlood samples of 276 dogs originating from all seven districts of Kosovo collected from 2021 to 2022 were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing for a substantial set of pathogens, including Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Filarioidea, Hepatozoon spp., Mycoplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Trypanosoma spp. Prevalence rates were statistically assessed on the basis of various factors such as sex, breed, age, and district.

resultsIn total, 150 (54.3%) dogs tested positive for at least one pathogen, comprising eight species of five genera. The most prevalent pathogens detected were Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (55; 19.9%), Hepatozoon canis (52; 18.8%), and Mycoplasma haemocanis (49; 17.8%). We also detected double (32; 11.6%) and triple (5; 1.8%) infections, with the latter involving combinations of Mycoplasma spp., Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria immitis, H. canis, or Babesia vulpes. In addition, prevalence rates were calculated and mapped by district. Of all included factors, significant prevalence differences were found for purebred/mixed breed dogs as well as between age groups.

conclusionsThis study provides the first comprehensive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening and detection of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Kosovo and highlights the circulation of pathogens with high veterinary importance and zoonotic potential.

Indexed as

Dog DiseasesVector Borne DiseasesAnaplasmaAnimalsArthropod VectorsDogsFemaleKosovoMalePrevalenceDogsKosovoPCRVector-borne pathogens

Identifiers

PMID40205569
PMCPMC11983783

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.