Canine vector-borne diseases in Lebanon Unveiling prevalence trends and risk factors for public health and disease control

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) pose a significant threat to dogs and public health. Although Lebanon's environmental conditions favor transmission, data on the prevalence and risk factors of CVBDs such as Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and Dirofilaria immitis remain scarce. This study investigates the prevalence of these pathogens in dogs across key urban and peri-urban regions (North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, and Beirut) while identifying associated risk factors contributing to their spread. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 425 dogs. Blood samples were collected during routine veterinary visits and analyzed using the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus ELISA test. Data on potential risk factors were collected and analyzed using pathogen-specific multivariable logistic regression models. Seroprevalence was 11.06% for Ehrlichia spp. (n = 47), 5.65% for Anaplasma spp. (n = 24), 2.12% for Borrelia burgdorferi (n = 9), and 1.65% for Dirofilaria immitis (n = 7). Ectoparasite infestations and housing three or more dogs were significantly associated with seropositivity for Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Borrelia burgdorferi (P < 0.05). For Dirofilaria immitis, housing three or more dogs was the only factor significantly associated with seropositivity. Additional pathogen-specific associations were identified for Ehrlichia spp., including age over six years (P = 0.03), female sex (P = 0.04), and the summer season (P = 0.02), while inadequate sanitation was significantly associated with Anaplasma spp. seropositivity (P = 0.01).This study represents the first comprehensive epidemiological investigation of CVBDs in Lebanon. The findings highlight host factors, environmental conditions, and management practices as key contributors to disease transmission and emphasize the need for holistic control programs, long-term surveillance, and strengthened collaboration to reduce zoonotic disease risk in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.