Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogen infection in cats from Africa is scarce. The presence of bacterial (Anaplasma and Ehrlichia) and protozoal (Babesia and Hepatozoon) agents was investigated in blood samples from 102 domestic cats from Luanda, Angola, by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Three cats (2.9%) were found infected with Ehrlichia canis, three (2.9%) with Hepatozoon felis and one (1.0%) with Anaplasma bovis. The prevalence of infections with one single agent was 4.9%, and that of infection with two agents (i.e. E. canis and H. felis) was 1.0%. In total, six cats (5.9%) were found infected with at least one of the detected tick-borne agents. This is the first report of A. bovis, E. canis and H. felis in cats from Angola. To the best of our knowledge, A. bovis is also being reported for the first time in domestic cats outside of Japan. Cats are at a low to moderate risk of being infected with tick-borne agents in Luanda.

Infections with tick-borne rickettsiae can cause diseases well known in humans but still not so well characterized in dogs. Susceptibility to infection depends on the virulence of Rickettsia spp. and only a few of them have been described to cause disease in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure to Rickettsia spp. among a group of pet dogs from Luanda, Angola. Out of 103 dogs included in the study, 62 (60.2%) were infested with ticks. Plasma specimens tested for serology by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) revealed that six (5.8%) dogs had detectable immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), with endpoint titers of 64 for two dogs, 128 for three dogs and 1024 for one dog. From the seropositive group of dogs, five (83%) of them were males, with their age ranging from 1 to 8 years old. Among the seropositive dogs, four (66.7%) were parasitized with ticks and no breed (or cross) was found to be associated with specific antibodies. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in two (1.9%) dogs that were found to be seronegative. Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Rickettsia spp. infection in this group of pet dogs from Luanda is low compared with other studies performed in the same type of hosts in other areas. Although many dogs were parasitized with ticks, a low prevalence of Rickettsia spp. could be related with the hypothesis of a low rickettsial prevalence in the infesting ticks. This study provides evidence that dogs in Luanda are exposed to Rickettsia spp., but further studies are needed to better characterize the bacterial infections in dogs and in their ectoparasites.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum is a global zoonosis endemic in more than 70 countries in Europe, North Africa, Asia and America; however, data on this infection is scarce from southern Africa. The aim of this study was to survey dogs in Luanda, Angola, for Leishmania infection.

Free-roaming dogs and cats represent potential reservoirs for zoonotic vector-borne pathogens shedding to the human population. Given the health impact of these pathogens, we searched free-roaming dogs and cats included in an animal population control program from Luanda, Angola, for Bartonella and hemotropic mycoplasma infection. We report the detection of Bartonella henselae (2/66; 3%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (5/66; 7.5%) and Mycoplasma haemofelis (1/66; 1.5%) in cats. One dog was found positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis (1/20; 5%). This is the first report of Bartonella henselae infections in stray cats and of hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats and dogs from Angola. Despite the relatively small sample size, our results sustain the hypothesis of uncontrolled circulation of these agents in highly mobile synanthropic animal populations of Luanda. Population and vector control could contribute to reducing the likelihood for animal-to-animal and animal-to-human transmission.

In dogs, the risk of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction at the first transfusion is negligible; however, mismatched transfusions may produce alloimmunization. To avoid fatal acute hemolytic reactions in subsequent blood transfusions, it is important to recognize blood groups and to blood type both the donor and the recipient. Prevalence of dog blood groups varies geographically and between breeds. Our aim was to determine DEA 1 prevalence in a canine population in Luanda (Angola) and to assess alloimmunization risk after a mismatched blood transfusion. Blood samples were typed using an immunochromatographic strip technique. Of the 112 dogs tested (59 males; 53 females), 52.68% were DEA 1 positive and 47.32% DEA 1 negative. Females tended to be DEA 1 positive, and males DEA 1 negative (p = 0.0085). In a first-time mismatched blood transfusion, the calculated probability of a dog becoming sensitized was 24.9% and the probability of an acute hemolytic reaction following a second incompatible blood transfusion was 6.21%. DEA 1 prevalence obtained was similar to that reported worldwide, but differs from other African countries. The risk of alloimmunization and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions in mismatched blood transfusions is higher than that in other African regions. Blood typing is recommended prior to transfusion.

Aim: The present study analyzed the association between the development stage of the oral health care network in a Brazilian state and oral health coverage of Primary Health Care (PHC). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted with 205 municipal oral health coordinators of a state in the southeast of Brazil. Data collection was carried out through a validated questionnaire. Descriptive and cluster analysis were performed. Variables oral health coverage (total PHC and in the Family Health Strategy – FHS), allocation factor (AF) of financial resources, and expanded health area of municipalities were compared with the clusters (p < 0.05). Results: Cluster 1 was classified as containing incipient health care networks (n = 109), and cluster 2 was classified as containing advanced health care networks (n = 96). Descriptive analysis showed that oral health coverage in total PHC was 100% and in FHS was 78.1%. The majority of municipalities were classified in quartiles AF 1 and 2. The expanded health areas with the highest number of municipalities were South and Southeast. Clusters were associated with total PHC coverage (p = 0.038) and FHS (p = 0.009), and no association between clusters with AF (p = 0.754) and expanded health area of municipalities (p = 0.519). Conclusion: The municipalities’ PHC coverage was related to the effectiveness of oral health network implantation. Objetivo: O presente estudo analisou a associação entre o estágio de desenvolvimento da rede de saúde bucal em um estado brasileiro e a cobertura em saúde bucal da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e analítico de corte transversal com 205 coordenadores municipais de saúde bucal de um estado do sudeste do Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de um questionário validado. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de cluster. As variáveis cobertura da saúde bucal (APS total e na Estratégia Saúde da Família-ESF), fator de alocação (FA) de recursos financeiros e área ampliada de saúde dos municípios foram comparadas com os cluster (p < 0,05). Resultados: O cluster 1 foi classificado como apresentando redes de assistência à saúde incipientes (n = 109) e o cluster 2 foi classificado como apresentando redes de assistência à saúde avançadas (n = 96). A análise descritiva mostrou que a cobertura de saúde bucal total na APS foi de 100% e na ESF foi de 78,1%. A maioria dos municípios foi classificada nos quartis FA 1 e 2. As áreas de saúde expandidas com maior número de municípios foram Sul e Sudeste. Os clusters foram associados à cobertura total da APS (p = 0,038) e ESF (p = 0,009); e não houve associação entre clusters com FA (p = 0,754) e área ampliada de saúde dos municípios (p = 0,519). Conclusão: A cobertura da APS dos municípios esteve relacionada à efetividade da implantação da rede de saúde bucal.