Serological Survey of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, and Flaviviruses in Dogs from Western Sicily (Italy)

¹ Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A.Mirri", Palermo, Italy
² Università degli Studi di Messina, Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Messina, Italy
³ Rifugio Sanitario Municipale di Mazara del Vallo, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Trapani, Mazara del Vallo, Italy
⁴ Dipartimento di Prevenzione Veterinario UOS Presidi di Igiene Urbana Veterinaria (Canile), Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

Academic Editor: Yingyu Chen

Published: 28 November 2025 by MDPI in The 1st International Online Conference on Veterinary Sciences session Veterinary Epidemiology

Abstract:

Introduction
Tick-borne infections caused by bacterial pathogens such as Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp., protozoa like Babesia spp., and viruses including Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) represent a growing concern for both veterinary and public health, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Western Sicily (Italy), due to its favorable climatic and ecological conditions, is considered a potentially endemic area for several of these pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and flaviviruses in the canine population of this region.

Materials and Methods
Canine blood samples were analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect antibodies against Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to assess antibodies against flaviviruses and Babesia spp.

Results
A total of 386 dogs from various provinces of western Sicily were sampled. Seroprevalence rates were as follows: Rickettsia spp.—47.08%, Anaplasma spp.—21.33%, Ehrlichia spp.—15.49%, and Babesia spp.—32.38%. A subset of 121 samples (approximately 30%) was tested for flaviviruses, revealing a seropositivity rate of 26.45%.

Conclusions
The findings confirmed the circulation of the investigated bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogens in the canine population of western Sicily. These results underscore the need for ongoing serological surveillance to better elucidate the epidemiology of these infections and to support the development of effective prevention and control strategies, in alignment with the One Health framework. Dogs represent effective sentinels for monitoring vector-borne diseases due to their frequent exposure to the same environmental risk factors as humans and their accessibility for sampling. Their role as sentinel species provides valuable insights for both veterinary and public health efforts aimed at the early detection and management of emerging infectious threats.
This research was funded by the Italian Ministry of Health: IZSSI 03/23 RC.

Keywords: Rickettsia; Anaplasma; Ehrlichia; Babesia; Flavivirus; Dogs

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