Puteri Azaziah Megat Abd Rani

Question design by medical practitioners has been shown to have important consequences on how patients present their problems in clinical consultations. Linguistic structure of questions as part of question design implements different communicative and pragmatic functions, and hence, affects patients’ response in different ways. This study examined types of questions asked by veterinarians in the problem presentation phase of the clinical consultation in relation to their linguistic forms and functions. Veterinary illness consultations were video-recorded and veterinarians’ question types, their linguistic forms and clients’ response in the interaction were identified and examined. The results show that the general inquiry question implemented using the open-ended wh-question structure and the closed-ended declarative interrogative are the preferred forms used by veterinarians to solicit patients’ presenting problems from clients. Also, alignment of the linguistic form of questions with their pragmatic functions and the discourse goal of problem presentation affects clients’ ascription of veterinarians’ actions. The findings from the study can inform veterinarian communication training for more effective veterinarian-client communication to accomplish problem presentation in clinical consultations.

Pertanika Journal information and guidelines

Background: Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia.Methods: A total of 392 ticks and 248 fleas were collected from 401 infested animals (i.e. 271 dogs and 130 cats) from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, and molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Ticks were tested forRickettsiaspp.,Anaplasmaspp.,Ehrlichiaspp.,Babesiaspp. andHepatozoonspp. while fleas were screened for the presence ofRickettsiaspp. andBartonellaspp.Result: Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen withHepatozoon canisbeing the most prevalent (5.4%), followed byEhrlichia canis(1.8%),Babesia vogeli(1%),Anaplasma platys(0.8%) andRickettsiaspp. (1%) [includingRickettsiasp. (0.5%),Rickettsia asembonensis(0.3%) andRickettsia felis(0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen withR. felisbeing the most common (19.4%), followed byBartonellaspp. (16.5%),Rickettsia asembonensis(10.9%) and “CandidatusRickettsia senegalensis” (0.4%). Furthermore, 35Rhipicephalus sanguineusticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage (Rh. sanguineus(sensu stricto)).Conclusion: Our data reveals the circulation of different VBPs in ticks and fleas of dogs and cats from Asia, including zoonotic agents, which may represent a potential risk to animal and human health.

Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks ( n = 392) and fleas ( n = 248) collected from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia. Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (5.4%), followed by Ehrlichia canis (1.8%), Babesia vogeli (1%), Anaplasma platys (0.8%) and Rickettsia spp. (1%) [including Rickettsia sp. (0.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (0.3%), Rickettsia felis (0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen with R. felis being the most common (19.4%), followed by Bartonella spp. (16.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (10.9%) and Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis (0.4%). Furthermore, 35 Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage ( Rh. sanguineus sensu stricto). Our data reveals the circulation of different VBPs in ticks and fleas of dogs and cats from Asia, including zoonotic agents, which may represent a potential risk to animal and human health. Author summary: Ticks and fleas are among the most important vectors of pathogens infesting many animal species including humans worldwide. Although a number of vector-borne pathogens have been detected in dogs and cats from East and Southeast Asia, investigation in ticks and fleas collected from them are scant. In order to provide an overview of the pathogens circulating in ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in Asia, ticks ( n = 392) and fleas ( n = 248) were collected from privately-owned dogs and cats from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam and molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Overall, multiple pathogens were found in ticks (i.e., Babesia vogeli , Hepatozoon canis , Ehrlichia canis , Anaplasma platys and Rickettsia spp.) and fleas (i.e., Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp.) from the sampling areas. Of the ticks tested, 9.4% scored positive for at least one pathogen and of fleas 42.7% harbored at least one pathogen with Rickettsia felis being the most common (19.4%). Overall, of the detected pathogens, R. felis stood out as the most important due to its zoonotic potential. The result of this study should increase awareness among pet owners and veterinary practitioners regarding the importance of ticks and fleas, and their transmitted pathogens.

This study determined the potential risk factors that may contribute to seropositivity among dogs and dog handlers from working dog and dog shelter institutions. Data was collected from dogs (n = 266) and dog handlers (n = 161) using a standardised guided questionnaire. Serum obtained from the dogs and dog handlers was tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). A logistic regression analysis was used to predict leptospiral seropositivity of dogs and dog handlers based on potential risk factors. A total of 22.2% of dogs and 21.7% of dog handlers were seropositive. The significant predictors for the dogs’ seropositivity were presence of rats (OR = 4.61 (95% CI: 1.05, 20.33), p = 0.043) and shared common area (OR = 5.12 (95% CI: 1.94, 13.46), p = 0.001) within the organisation. Significant predictor for dog handler seropositivity was contact time with the dogs of more than six hours/day (OR = 3.28 (95% CI: 1.28, 8.40), p = 0.013) after controlling for the effect of other risk factors such as small mammal contact, rat infestation at home, flooding at housing area (within three months) and urban locality. The exposure to various disease sources identified poses risk to dogs and dog handlers. Risk could be reduced with adequate application of protection at work while handling dogs and thus limiting contact with these sources and reducing exposure to infection.

Background: The Jahai, a subethnic of the indigenous people of peninsular Malaysia, have commonly used dogs for hunting but have started to move away from traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, leaving dogs which were commonly used for hunting to wander around the villages and to multiply in numbers. Objective: The objective of this study was to instil good knowledge, attitude and practices of the Jahai community concerning dog associated zoonotic infections using One Health concept. Methods: This non-experimental pre and post-test intervention study was conducted among Jahai villagers aged 12 years and above living in a village located in the Belum forest in Malaysia. Interventions included health education and promotion using discussions, posters, slide presentations, comics and video clips with relevant content. In addition the children of the village were taught correct hand washing techniques and dog associated zoonotic infections. Results: In general most aspects of knowledge, attitude and practice improved post intervention. The knowledge on risk of infections transmitted from pet dogs (X ² =4.293, p= 0.038) and the practice of washing hands before eating (X ² =14.984, p <0.001) improved significantly. The increase in the mean scores of the participants knowledge (t=−9.875, p=<0.001) and attitude (t= −4.100, p=<0.001) post intervention was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team using One Health concept to successfully improve knowledge, attitude and practices related to dog associated infections. A sustained and committed health education and promotion interventions involving the community and school children in promoting heath should be custom made for indigenous communities, and sanitation and hygienic practices reinforced at every opportunity. Author’s Summary: The indigenous people of peninsular Malaysia are a marginalized group; they are socio economically deprived and have low levels of education. One such group is the Jahai, who commonly used dogs for hunting, but have recently started to move away from traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, resulting in the dogs to multiply in numbers and roam as strays in the village. The community is now at risk of dog associated zoonotic infections. Studies have shown that health education and promotion can improve knowledge, attitude and practices of dog associated infections. However most of the studies were done among dog owners and in communities with fairly good education levels. A holistic approach using One Health concept was used to instil good knowledge, attitude and practices of the Jahai community concerning dog associated zoonotic infections. This non-experimental pre and post-test intervention study was conducted among Jahai villagers aged 12 years and above living in a village located in the Belum forest in Malaysia. The findings of this study showed the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team using One Health concept to successfully improve knowledge, attitude and practices related to dog associated zoonotic infections.

Fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides serve as vectors for a number of rickettsial zoonoses, including Rickettsia felis. There are currently no published reports of the presence and distribution of R. felis in India, however, the ubiquitous distribution of its vector Ctenocephalides felis, makes it possible that the pathogen is endemic to the region. This study investigates the occurrence of Rickettsia spp. infection in various subspecies of C. felis infesting dogs from urban areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan in India. Individual fleas collected off 77 stray dogs from Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan were screened for Rickettsia spp. by a conventional PCR targeting the ompB gene. Further genetic characterisation of Rickettsia-positive fleas was carried out using nested PCR and phylogenetic analysis of partial DNA sequences of the gltA and ompA genes. Ctenocephalides spp. were morphologically and genetically identified by PCR targeting a fragment of cox1 gene. Overall, 56/77 fleas (72.7%), including 22/24 (91.7%) from Delhi, 32/44 (72.7%) from Mumbai and 2/9 (22.2%) from Rajasthan were positive for Rickettsia DNA at the ompB gene. Sequences of gltA fragments confirmed the amplification of Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125. The ompA gene of Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 was characterised for the first time and shown 96% identical to R. felis. Three species of Ctenocephalides were identified, with the Ctenocephalides felis orientis being the dominant flea species (69/77; 89.6%) in India, followed by Ctenocephalides felis felis (8/77; 10.4%). High occurrence of Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 in C. felis orientis and the absence of R. felis suggests a specific vector-endosymbiont adaptation and coevolution of the Rickettsia felis-like sp. within subspecies of C. felis.

Hippobosca longipennis (the 'dog louse fly') is a blood sucking ectoparasite found on wild carnivores such as cheetahs and lions and domesticated and feral dogs in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including China. Known as an intermediate host for Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and a transport host for Cheyletiella yasguri, it has also been suggested that H. longipennis may be a vector for other pathogens, including Acanthocheilonema sp.? nov., which was recently reported to infect up to 48% of dogs in northern India where this species of fly is known to commonly infest dogs. To test this hypothesis, hippoboscid flies feeding on dogs in Ladakh in northern India were collected and subjected to microscopic dissection.

There are few published reports on canine Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Hepatozoon and haemotropic Mycoplasma infections in India and most describe clinical disease in individual dogs, diagnosed by morphological observation of the microorganisms in stained blood smears. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of canine tick-borne disease (TBD) pathogens using a combination of conventional and molecular diagnostic techniques in four cities in India.