Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detection of Anaplasma and Borrelia infections in dogs in Czech
By Kybicová, Katerina et al.·Published in Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)·2009·National Institute of Public Health·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs in the Czech Republic.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in the Czech Republic was tested for infections caused by two bacteria, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi, which can lead to serious health issues. Out of 296 dogs, 10 were found to be infected with Anaplasma, and many showed symptoms like fever and lethargy. Additionally, one dog with neurological symptoms was found to have Borrelia. The study highlights that these infections are present in dogs and suggests that pet owners should be aware of the risks, especially in areas where ticks are common. Treatment options typically include antibiotics, which can help clear the infection.
People also search for: dog tick disease symptoms · Anaplasma treatment in dogs · Borrelia infection in dogs
Abstract
The aim of this study is to present molecular, serologic, and clinical findings for dogs that were naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) in the Czech Republic. This data can provide information relevant to human infection. In total, blood samples from 296 dogs and 118 engorged ticks were examined. Samples were tested for A. phagocytophilum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, nested PCR, and direct sequencing of the 16S rDNA, and for B. burgdorferi s. l. using PCR amplification of the 16S rDNA and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer. In addition, blood samples were screened for antibodies to these bacteria. Ten (3.4%) dogs were PCR-positive for A. phagocytophilum. Morulae of A. phagocytophilum in granulocytes were found in two of these dogs. Nine of the PCR-positive dogs had clinical signs related to anaplasmosis. Statistically significant differences in the PCR detection rates were found between breeds and between symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. Infection with Borrelia garinii was detected by PCR in a dog with meningoencephalitis. DNA of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s. l. (B. garinii or Borrelia afzelii) was detected in 8.5% and 6.8% of ticks, respectively. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G seropositivity to A. phagocytophilum was 26%. Significant differences were found with respect to breed and gender. IgM and IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi s. l. were detected in 2.4% and 10.3% of dogs, respectively. Our findings suggest that the exposure to B. burgdorferi s. l. exists in dogs in the Czech Republic, and exposure to A. phagocytophilum is common.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19271998/