Comparative analysis of the infectivity rate of both Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in humans and dogs in a New Jersey community

Abstract

Ticks are important vectors of disease and transmit an extensive array of bacterial, viral and protozoan diseases to both humans and dogs within a community. Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has been extensively studied within both the human and veterinary population. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an intracellular rickettsial pathogen also transmitted by ixodid ticks, has emerged as an important zoonotic infection with significant veterinary and medical implications, and is responsible for both canine granulocytic anaplasmosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Multiple surveys exist in the international literature referencing infectivity rates of both of these diseases separately in both the dog and human populations. This is the first study to simultaneously examine the infectivity rate of both anaplasmosis and Lyme disease in humans and dogs in a community endemic for tick-borne diseases.

Canine infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in Canada, 2013–2014

“…Finally, these vector-borne pathogens have been documented to cause disease in humans, and mapping the risk of canine infection also describes the areas where humans are most likely to be infected [32, 54, 55]. The species-specific nature of the B. burgdorferi analyte used in the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus Test kit may also allow for the differentiation of areas endemic for B. burgdorferi ( sensu stricto ) and those regions where other, or emerging, Borrelia spp.…”

“…This nationwide data can aid veterinarians in making informed decisions on annual canine wellness procedures that would be most beneficial, including acaricide use, heartworm prevention, and vaccination for B. burgdorferi , and when evaluated over time, the results can help document the changing distribution of vector-borne infections [ 4 , 12 ]. Finally, these vector-borne pathogens have been documented to cause disease in humans, and mapping the risk of canine infection also describes the areas where humans are most likely to be infected [ 32 , 54 , 55 ]. The species-specific nature of the B. burgdorferi analyte used in the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus Test kit may also allow for the differentiation of areas endemic for B. burgdorferi ( sensu stricto ) and those regions where other, or emerging, Borrelia spp.…”

Canine and human infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in the New York City metropolitan area

“…Several studies seeking to estimate the risk of Lyme disease have tested for the presence of the pathogens in ticks, quantitated questing ticks in the environment, and evaluated habitat factors that may influence populations of both vertebrate reservoirs and tick vectors [ 11 , 14 , 21 – 23 ]. Research using pet dogs as sentinels to document transmission of tick-borne disease agents in focused geographical areas and nationwide has been successful [ 24 – 28 ]. Domestic dogs inhabit the same environment as their owners and share a similar infection risk.…”

Canine Filamentous Dermatitis Associated with Borrelia Infection

“…Dogs are susceptible to LD and serve as both disease sentinels and animal models to investigate human tickborne illness [2,3]. For this reason, accurate diagnosis is important to insure (1) that companion animals can receive appropriate treatment and (2) that accurate infection rates will reflect what is happening in the human population.…”

“…Dogs are the domestic animals most susceptible to Lyme disease (LD), and serve as both sentinels and as animal models to investigate tickborne illnesses [1][2][3][4]. Acute signs of LD caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) -general malaise, fever, swelling of lymph nodes and pain -are non-specific, can disappear within a few days, and may be overlooked by the dog's owner, leading to chronic, disseminated LD in some dogs [2,5,6].…”