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Spirochetemia caused by Borrelia turicatae infection in 3 dogs in Texas.
- Source :
-
Veterinary clinical pathology [Vet Clin Pathol] 2007 Jun; Vol. 36 (2), pp. 212-6. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Spirochetemia was diagnosed in 2 Siberian Huskies and a Rottweiler from the northwestern region of Texas between June 1999 and October 2001. Clinical findings were nonspecific; tick exposure was documented in 2 of the dogs. Hematologic abnormalities included anemia (n=2), neutrophilia (n=2, including 1 with a left shift), lymphopenia (n=3), eosinopenia (n=3), and thrombocytopenia (n=2). One anemic dog had a positive Coombs' test. In 1 dog, Western blot analysis of serum yielded multiple positive bands with B turicatae lysate, indicating the spirochetemia most likely was due to B turicatae infection. In 2 dogs, spirochetes were cultured from the blood and identified using DNA analysis as Borrelia turicatae; 1 of these dogs also was seropositive for Ehrlichia canis and B burgdorferi. In 2 cases, spirochetemia was more prominent in blood smears prepared immediately after sample collection than in smears prepared from EDTA blood. Two dogs recovered with doxycycline treatment; 1 dog declined clinically despite treatment and was euthanized. B turicatae is the agent of tick-borne (endemic) relapsing fever in humans and is distinct from B burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease; however, serologic cross-reactivity may occur. B turicatae is transmitted by the soft tick, Ornithodoros turicata, and infection should be considered in dogs with spirochetemia and possible exposure to the tick vector.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use
Borrelia classification
Borrelia Infections diagnosis
Borrelia Infections drug therapy
Borrelia Infections microbiology
Dog Diseases drug therapy
Dogs
Doxycycline therapeutic use
Female
Male
Texas
Borrelia isolation & purification
Borrelia physiology
Borrelia Infections veterinary
Dog Diseases diagnosis
Dog Diseases microbiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0275-6382
- Volume :
- 36
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Veterinary clinical pathology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17523100
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165x.2007.tb00213.x