Serologic survey for selected microbial pathogens in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and sympatric domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in Maasai Mara, Kenya

A serosurvey of antibodies to canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), and Ehrlichia canis in African (Lycanon pictus) and sympatric domestic canids was conducted in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, in 1989 and 1990. Samples were collected from about 20% of the sympatric and wild dog populations. Of the domestic dogs, 25.4%, 1.8%, and 15.5% were seropositive for CPV, CDV, and EC, respectively. The seroprevalence of these three diseases in African wild dogs were 6.7%, 0% and 0%, respectively. The seroprevalences of CPV was higher in domestic dogs than in African wild dogs. In addition, significant differences in CPV prevalence in domestic dogs were noted between sampling sites and years. Differences in seroprevalence of CDV between species were not significant. The higher prevalence of antibodies to CPV and EC in domestic dogs indicates that domestic dogs may serve as sources of infection for African wild dogs.