IN THE PREVENTION MANAGEMENT OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERIINFECTIONS IN DOGS

摘要

Lyme disease and its causative tick-bome agent Borrelia burgdorferi have become extremely common in many areas of the United States and Europe over the last 20 years in both humans and dogs (1). Anecdotally, it appears that 2009 stood out in terms ofthe emergence of high concentrations of Lyme-positive dogs in areas that previously were thought to have only occasional cases. Despite the large number of clinical and nonclinical Lyme cases seen in small animal practice in Lyme-endemic areas, the veterinary practitioner faces many unanswered questions regarding this disease. These include even the most basic question— how to treat a clinical case of Lyme disease or even how to recognize infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in a sick dog? Additional questions most practitioners struggle with, perhaps even more often, are if, when, and then how to monitor nonclinical dogs for evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection? And perhaps most important of all is how to prevent Lyme disease? How good is tick control? Should we or should we not vaccinate? Who should we vaccinate and do vaccines prevent or promote the most severe manifestation of Lyme disease— Lyme nephritis? After a brief overview of Borrelia burgdorferi pathogenesis necessary for the understanding of these issues, this discussion will focus on ways that veterinarians can answer these questions.