One Health, one focus: how Antech is helping tackle the threat of vector-borne diseases
By Dr. Christian Leutenegger (BSc, DrMedVet, PhD, FVH)
Vice President R&D, Assay Development, Antech
On this #OneHealthDay I want to shine a light on a significant and evolving public health threat: vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and the vital connection between the health of pets and the wellbeing of their human companions.
The spread of vector-borne diseases
VBDs that affect pets include Lyme disease and leishmaniasis. They are spread by vectors, living organisms like ticks and mosquitoes that transmit infectious pathogens when they feed from an animal or human. VBDs are on the rise and climate change is one major reason for this. Warmer temperatures mean vectors are active for longer periods and are expanding their geographic reach, so some VBDs are now emerging in parts of the U.S. and Canada where they’ve previously rarely been seen Other factors fuelling this growth include increased pet travel, urbanization (which brings pets into closer contact with wildlife), parasiticide resistance, and gaps in pet parasite prevention programs.
Dogs and cats aren’t passing these diseases directly to their owners, but as pets and their human companions spend time in the same environments, they are exposed to the same vectors and the same risk of infection. Dogs and cats therefore act as crucial sentinels of VBD, with testing highlighting trends that will likely also manifest in the human population in the same locality, demanding a public health response. Both veterinarians and physicians need to understand the risks and require tools to screen, diagnose, and treat these diseases effectively.
Staying ahead of the threat
As we develop more sensitive and broader-spectrum tests, veterinary clinics are seeing more positive results, a clear indication that the VBD threat is real and growing. Pets may be infected “sub-clinically” with VBDs, which means they appear healthy while the VBD circulates within their body. They can serve as a hidden reservoir of infection and vectors may transmit the disease to other animals.
Currently, most dogs in the U.S. and Canada aren’t routinely screened for VBD. If this changed, it could significantly reduce the spread of diseases. High quality annual testing enables prompt treatment for infected dogs, but – very importantly – it also helps control the spread of diseases that put humans as well as animals at risk.
To reduce the One Health impact, we must constantly evolve our testing to keep ahead of emerging pathogens. That means providing options that suit different clinical workflows. For example, our Accuplex™ test now screens for a wider range of Ehrlichia et Anaplasma species and can be run on serum already being sent to the lab for a wellness panel. For rapid in-clinic results, trūRapid™ FOUR is effective: it only requires a few drops of blood and allows treatment to begin immediately if any positive results are noted. And for disease diagnostics in sick patients, an expanded vector-borne disease PCR panel tests for 22 different infectious agents and drug resistance.
We stand with our public health partners on One Health Day
As well as our continual investment in scientific innovation, at Antech we work hard to support veterinarians with resources to interpret results, treat disease, and communicate with pet owners about the potential of both animal and human risk. The dual animal and human risks of VBD spread demand a collaborative, One Health approach.
There is more we can do from a prevention standpoint. In some areas, like molecular diagnostics, veterinary medicine is ahead of human medicine and we can bring cutting-edge solutions to clinics faster. Data and learning from this collaboration can inform the work of our human health peers.
Antech molecular diagnostics products support advanced diagnostics, prioritizing accuracy, speed, and affordability across a wide range of VBDs. Along with our colleagues in human healthcare and on the veterinary front line, we are actively striving to protect the health of animals and people alike.
Find out more about Antech’s advanced VBD screening solutions: https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/reference-lab/diagnostics/advanced-vector-borne-disease-screening/
