Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Trends in dog antibody rates for Lyme and Anaplasma in eastern USA
By Dewage, Bhagya Galkissa et al.·Published in Parasites & vectors·2019·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Trends in canine seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. in the eastern USA, 2010-2017.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at the rates of tick-borne infections in dogs across the eastern USA from 2010 to 2017, focusing on Lyme disease (caused by Borrelia burgdorferi) and Anaplasmosis (caused by Anaplasma spp.). It found that in some areas, especially along the mid-Atlantic coast, fewer dogs tested positive for these infections over time, which might be due to better tick control and vaccination efforts. However, in other regions, particularly in parts of New England and Pennsylvania, the rates of infection were still rising. This information can help pet owners understand the risks of these diseases in their area and the importance of preventive measures.
People also search for: dog Lyme disease symptoms · tick prevention for dogs · Anaplasmosis in dogs treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are tick-borne infections transmitted by Ixodes scapularis in the eastern USA; both agents cause disease in dogs and people. To characterize changes in seroprevalence over time, Cochran Armitage trend tests were used to evaluate percent positive test results for antibodies to B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. in approximately 20 million canine tests from 2010-2017 in 25 states and 905 counties in the eastern USA. RESULTS: A significant decreasing trend in seroprevalence to B. burgdorferi was evident in eight states along the mid-Atlantic coast from Virginia to New Hampshire, and in Wisconsin. In contrast, a continued increasing trend was evident in five northeastern and Midwestern states where Lyme borreliosis is endemic or emerging, as well as in three southern states where endemicity has not yet been widely established. Similarly, seroprevalence to Anaplasma spp. showed a significant, although smaller, decreasing trend in five states along the mid-Atlantic coast from Virginia to Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the Midwest; despite the fact that those trends were significant they were weak. However, a strong increasing trend was evident in Massachusetts and three states in northern New England as well as in Pennsylvania. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, seroprevalence continued to increase in regions where Lyme borreliosis and anaplasmosis are more newly endemic. However, the declining seroprevalence evident in other areas was not anticipated. Although the reasons for the decreasing trends are not clear, our finding may reflect shifting ecologic factors that have resulted in decreased infection risk or the combined positive influence of canine vaccination, tick control, and routine testing of dogs in regions where these infections have long been endemic. Analysis of trends in canine test results for tick-borne infections continues to be a valuable tool to understand relative geographical and temporal risk for these zoonotic agents.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31610803/