Natural infections with Borrelia spirochetes in two dogs from Florida

Abstract

Spirochetemia is a rarely reported observation in dogs. We describe the clinical, hematologic, and immunodiagnostic features of two spirochetemic dogs from northern Florida and the subsequent isolation and preliminary characterization of a Borrelia species from one dog in which culture of a sample for spirochetes was attempted. Results of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, monoclonal antibody testing, and PCR analysis indicate that the Florida isolate is not Borrelia burgdorferi, the only other member of the genus that has been isolated in Florida. Our findings also indicate that a member of the genus Borrelia potentially causes disease in dogs in Florida and that serologic cross-reactivity of the Florida canine Borrelia isolate with B. burgdorfieri probably contributes to the inaccurate diagnosis of canine Lyme disease in the region.

Tick‐Borne Relapsing Fever in Dogs

“…21 Clinical signs shared by the majority of dogs included: fever, ambulation or postural defects (arched back, lameness), anorexia/weight loss, and ocular lesions (uveitis, photophobia, corneal edema). 15,16,21 The cases described in this report provide further information on the clinical presentation and laboratory findings of dogs infected with TBRF. All cases presented between May to August with vague clinical signs, such as lethargy, inappetance or both.…”

“…However, regions not previously thought to harbor these organisms, such as Florida, are being discovered through veterinary cases. 15,16 In human cases of TBRF, the spirochetemia and concurrent episodes of fever are cyclic, with clinical signs lasting a few days and approximately 1 week elapsing between episodes. 2 Through the use of animal models, it has been suggested that antigenic variation allows spirochetes to evade the immune system.…”

“…18 The earliest confirmed cases of TBRF in veterinary species were reported in the 1990's, with the first suspected cases seen decades earlier. 9,16 Reported cases of natural TBRF in animals in the last twenty years include rare case reports in dogs in Texas, Florida and Washington, a bat in the United Kingdom, and an aborted horse fetus from California. 15,16,[19][20][21] Detectable spirochetemia on blood smear examination was only reported in dogs.…”

“…All dogs also had marked thrombocytopenia, when platelet counts were available. 15,16,21 Additional CBC findings varied between dogs but included mild stress leukograms, inflammatory changes, and mild non-regenerative anemia. 10 Several dogs displayed minimal CBC abnormalities other than marked thrombocytopenia and spirochetemia.…”

Relapsing fever - a forgotten disease revealed

“…Borrelia infection has been reported among dogs, however, this appeared to by unrelated to the Lyme disease strains (Breitschwerdt et al 1994). Further cases were later documented from Texas with the causative spirochaete believed to be B. turicatae (Whitney et al 2007).…”