Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High IgG antibody levels linked to Lyme disease symptoms in dogs
By K. Emil Hovius et al.·Published in Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases·2025·Amphipoda Biology and Veterinary Science, Veldhoven, the Netherlands; Corresponding author., NL·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Clinical canine Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) infections are associated with highly elevated total IgG ELISA titers and convalescent Th2 immune responses
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in a tick-heavy area of the Netherlands showed symptoms of Lyme disease, including fever and limping. Researchers found that these dogs had high levels of specific antibodies against the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. Notably, certain breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs and Labrador Retrievers were more likely to show these symptoms after repeated tick exposures. The study suggests that while many dogs can be infected, only some will display noticeable symptoms. Treatment details weren't specified, but understanding these antibody responses can help veterinarians manage Lyme disease in dogs.
People also search for: dog limping and fever · Lyme disease in dogs symptoms · Bernese Mountain Dog Lyme disease treatment
Abstract
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), which is transmitted through species belonging to the Ixodes ricinus complex. Canine Lyme Disease (CLD) is an established clinical entity in the USA. In Europe, an unambiguous diagnosis is rarely made, although it has been shown that dogs can be naturally infected and develop antibodies against B. burgdorferi (s.l.). The relation of Borrelia total IgG, IgG2, and IgG1 specific antibodies and the incidence of symptoms was studied in a prospective cohort study. In a tick-dense area in the Netherlands, 84 dogs in 4 age cohorts were followed up during 7 consecutive half-years. In addition, 31 Bernese Mountain dogs (BMD), known to have robust anti-Borrelia antibody responses, were clinically monitored and serologically examined. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis on repeated half-year measurements of clinical and serological results showed a strong association between the clinical signs fever combined with lameness in time, which in turn was associated with transiently high total IgG titers and elevated IgG1 titers against B. burgdorferi (sensu stricto). In BMD, we observed seroconversions and persistence of specific high total IgG and IgG1 titers. Although the latter also developed a persistent reaction against the B. burgdorferi (s.l.) C6 peptide, their tissues tested negative for B. burgdorferi (s.l.) DNA. This study strongly suggests that dogs - not vaccinated against Borrelia spp. infections - that encounter yearly tick infestations are recurrently infected. Some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and BMD, in the course of multiple tick-infestation seasons, develop transient symptoms compatible with CLD. Symptoms were strongly associated with temporarily raised total IgG and concomitant or convalescent high IgG1 antibody responses against B. burgdorferi (sensu stricto). Our findings provide insights into the resistance of dogs against B. burgdorferi (s.l.) infections and show that transient symptoms of CLD only occur in a subset of infected dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100258