Infections by Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. In Puerto Ordaz, Bolívar, Venezuela

The prevalence of tick-borne infections remains unknown in most Latin American countries, including Venezuela.

To estimate the prevalence of tick-borne infections in humans and dogs in Puerto Ordaz, Bolívar state, Venezuela.

An exploratory, descriptive, and prospective study was conducted involving 181 individuals –who voluntarily agreed to participate and provided their written informed consent– and 10 dogs brought in by their owners. A clinical-epidemiological survey was conducted, and venous and capillary blood samples were collected. Buffy coat and blood smear tests were prepared and stained using Giemsa.

Tick-borne infections were detected in 85.1% (n = 154) of the participants. The most frequent infection was caused by Ehrlichia spp. (n = 153; 84.5%), followed by Babesia spp. (n = 39; 21.5%), and Anaplasma spp. (n = 39; 21.5%). Women were the most affected (n = 117; 64.6%), with ages ranging from 5 to 97 years. Among infected individuals, 29.3% (n = 53) were co-infected with Ehrlichia spp. and Babesia spp., while 6.4% (n = 12) presented co-infection with all three pathogens under study. All the dogs (n = 10) presented tick-borne infections: 10 with Ehrlichia spp., 5 with Anaplasma spp., and 5 with Babesia spp. A statistically significant association was found between the presence of peridomestic ticks –favored by not walking the dog and having sick or elderly individuals– and tick-borne infections (p < 0.05).

A high prevalence of tick-borne diseases is evidenced, both in the studied humans and dogs.