First Report of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Galapagos: High Prevalence in Dogs and Circumstantial Evidence for the Role of Rhipicephalus linnaei as Vector
Culda, Carla Andreea Panait, Luciana Cătălina Cazan, Cristina Daniela Sprong, Hein Vinueza, Rommel Lenin Páez-Rosas, Diego Leon, Renato Mihalca, Andrei Daniel
Culda, Carla Andreea
Panait, Luciana Cătălina
Cazan, Cristina Daniela
Sprong, Hein
Vinueza, Rommel Lenin
Páez-Rosas, Diego
Leon, Renato
Mihalca, Andrei Daniel
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Journal Article
Article
Article
Language
en
Date of publication
2025-07-03
Year of publication
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
First Report of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Galapagos: High Prevalence in Dogs and Circumstantial Evidence for the Role of Rhipicephalus linnaei as Vector
Translated Title
Published in
Transbound Emerg Dis 2025; 2025:5542334
Abstract
The current study investigates the presence and prevalence of species in dogs from the Galapagos Islands, focusing on the potential vectorial role of in the transmission of these pathogens. Blood samples were collected from 1221 dogs across four islands, with tick collections for morphological and genetic identification. The results revealed a significant molecular prevalence of (20.3%), predominantly in Santa Cruz (35.16%) and Isabela (18.9%), while was identified in 2.9% of samples. Genetic analysis identified the presence of ecotype I, aligning more closely with European strains. Furthermore, was confirmed as the only tick species associated with dogs, suggesting its role as a vector for both and . This study marks the first molecular confirmation of these pathogens in the Galapagos, contributing with important insights into the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in this ecosystem. The findings highlight the need for improved surveillance and control to reduce the risk and further spread of these tick-borne diseases.