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Blood sera from 151 dogs from areas of the Czech Republic endemic for human tickborne encephalitis (TBE) were examined for the presence of antibodies to TBE and West Nile (WN) flaviviruses by the haemagglutination-inhibition test Antibodies to TBE virus at titres equal to or exceeding 40 were found in five dogs. Antibodies to WN virus were detected in only one dog that also had a high antibody titre to TBE, suggesting this was a cross-reaction between the two closely related viruses. Three of the dogs (all rottweilers) with a TBE titre of 320 had clinical signs of meningoencephalitis or encephalitis. They all survived after treatment for the clinical signs. It was proved by seroconversion that the disease was caused by the TBE virus in one of these three dogs, and it seems very likely that the virus was responsible for the disease in the other two.

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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.

From the epidemiological point of view, dogs are very important since they are considered a suitable indicator of the spread of human borreliosis. Serum samples obtained from healthy, asymptomatic military dogs from 12 different areas in the Czech Republic were examined for IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). The total of 399 serum samples were tested by a whole-cell ELISA. Specific antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. were detected in 26 cases (6.5%). In different localities, the seroprevalence varied from 0.0% to 28.6%. Two local isolated strains Br-75 (Borrelia afzelii) and Br-97 (Borrelia garinii) were used as antigens. A total of 22 (5.5%) were positive for antibodies to Borrelia afzelii and 19 (4.8%) were positive for antibodies to Borrelia garinii. Fifteen cases were positive for both antibodies. A significantly higher seroprevalence was found in younger dogs (1-3 years) than in older ones (p < 0.05). An analysis of seroprevalence by months of sampling showed no significant difference (p > 0.05).