The Cumberland region of the US is a natural passageway between Northeastern, midwestern, and Southeastern areas. This region also has many mosquitoes and ticks that act as active vectors for numerous human and animal pathogens. A study was conducted to test dogs from different shelters of the Cumberland region for Lyme infection, heartworm disease, Anaplasmosis,  ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mount Spotted fever (RMSF). One hundred fifty-seven dogs were used for serum testing against Ab of Rickettsia rickettsii and RMSF by employing indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Sixty-six dogs (42%) were positive for IgG or IgM or either of these Ab against Rickettsia. In addition, the same 157 dogs sera and sera of other 75 dogs from the exact shelter were tested by employing SNAP plus.

Out of these 232 dogs, 0.2% were assessed positive against Ab of A.platys/phagocytophilum, 3.9 % against B. burgdorferi, 9.9% against E.ewingi / canis, and 5.6% were assessed positive against an antigen of Dirofilariaimmitis. The study concluded that dogs of the Cumberland region were disclosed to many vector-linked pathogens.

Read more by clicking on the link below:

Serosurvey of arthropod-borne diseases among shelter dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region of the United States