Clinical Evidence of Lyme Disease in Dogs and Disease Awareness Among Students and Veterinarians in Veracruz, Mexico

Authors

  • Blanca Paola Boria-Gamboa University of Veracruz
  • José Alfredo Villagómez-Cortés University of Veracruz
  • David Itzcoatl Martínez-Herrera University of Veracruz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/vsr.v1i2.1280

Abstract

Background: Lyme disease is a relatively new and zoonotic canine pathology mostly unknown by people involved in the management and care of dogs.  Objective: to assess the knowledge about Lyme disease by veterinarians and veterinary students in Veracruz, Mexico. Methodology: three questionnaires were designed and applied to 290 individuals (40 small animal veterinarians, 50 in other professional practice and 200 veterinary students). Results and discussion: in general, the three groups were unaware about the disease, although there is a high interest in learning about this problem. Graduates from seven universities included in this study stated that Lyme disease was not part of the veterinary curriculum in their schools. Five clinical cases suggestive of Lyme disease occurring in dogs in the area were detected at the time of this research. Conclusion: although the presence of the agent causing Lyme disease has not been demonstrated in the studied area due to the lack of laboratory support and the apparent absence of the vector, it cannot be ruled out; furthermore, it is important that veterinary practitioners and student alike be aware of the potential presence of Lyme disease, paying particular attention to differential diagnosis when resembling clinical signs are observed.

Keywords:

Borrelia burgdorferi; Curricula; Professional communication; Survey; Tick disease; Veterinary education; Zoonosis

References

[1] Kugeler KJ, Farley GM, Forrester JD, Mead PS. Geographic distribution and expansion of human Lyme disease, United States. Emerg Infect Dis[J]. 2015, 21: 1455–1457.

[2] DOI: 10.3201/eid2108.141878

[3] Sykes RA, Makiello P. An estimate of Lyme borreliosis incidence in Western Europe. J Public Health[J]. 2017, 39(1): 74–81. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdw017

[4] Schwartz AM, Hinckley AF, Mead PS, Hook SA, Kugeler KJ. Surveillance for Lyme Disease — United States, 2008–2015. MMWR Surveill Summ[J]. 2017, 66(22): 1–12. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15585/mmw.ss6622a1

[5] Li S, Gilbert L, Vanwambeke SO, Yu J, Purse BV, Harrison PA. Lyme Disease Risks in Europe under Multiple Uncertain Drivers of Change. Environ Health Perspect[J]. 2019, 127(6): 1-13. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4615

[6] Mead PS. Epidemiology of Lyme disease. Infect Dis Clin North Am[J]. 2015, 29: 187–210. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2015.02.010

[7] Guzmán-Cornejo C, Robbins RG, Pérez TM. The Ixodes (Acari: Ixodidae) of Mexico: parasite-host and host-parasite checklists. Zootaxa[J]. 2007, 1553: 47–58.

[8] Viana DS, Santamaría L, Figuerola J. Migratory Birds as Global Dispersal Vectors. Trends Ecol Evol[J]. 2016, 31(10): 763-775.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.07.005

[9] Scott JD, Scott CM. Lyme Disease Propelled by Borrelia burgdorferi-Infected Blacklegged Ticks, Wild Birds and Public Awareness ─ Not Climate Change. J Veter Sci Med[J]. 2018, 6(1): 8. DOI:https://doi.org/10.13188/2325-4645.1000035

[10] Maradiaga-Ceceña MA, Llausás-Vargas A, Barguera-Heredia J, Kumate-Rodriguez J. Eritema crónico migratorio asociado a artritis. Enfermedad de Lyme o una variante. Rev Mex Reumatol[J]. 1991, 6: 61-63.

[11] Gordillo-Pérez G, Torres J, Solórzano-Santos F, Garduño-Bautista V, Tapia-Conyer R, Muñoz O. Seroepidemiologic survey of Lyme Borreliosis in Mexico City and the Northeast region of the country. Sal Pub Mex[J]. 2003, 45(5): 351-355.

[12] Tinoco-García L, Quiroz-Romero H, Quintero-Martínez MT, Rentaría-Evangelista TB, Barreras-Serrano A, López-Valencia G, Hori-Oshima S, Tamayo-Sosa AR, Rico-Diez De Bonilla O, Moro M, Vinasco J. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Dogs from a Mexico-U.S. Border Desert Region: Pilot Study. J Animal Vet Adv[J]. 2007, 6: 787-789.

[13] Meléndez-Salinas JA, Zarate-Ramos JJ, Avalos-Ramírez R, Hernández-Escareno JJ, Guzmán-Acosta G, Riojas-Valdés VM. Prevalence of Antibodies Against Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs from Monterrey, Mexico. J Animal Vet Adv[J]. 2011, 10: 2720-2723.

[14] Adler B (Ed.) Spirochete Biology: The Post Genomic Era. New york. 2018. Springer International Publishing[M]. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89638-0

[15] Hamer SA, Tsao JI, Walker ED, Hickling GJ. Invasion of the Lyme Disease Vector Ixodes scapularis: Implications for Borrelia burgdorferi endemicity. EcoHealth[J]. 2010, 7(1): 47–63. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-010-0287-0

[16] Eisen RJ, Eisen L, Beard CB. County-Scale Distribution of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Continental United States. J Med Entomol[J]. 2016, 53(2): 349–386. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjv237

[17] Medlock JM, Hansford KM, Bormane A, Derdakova M, Estrada-Peña A, George JC, Golovljova I, Jaenson TGT, Jensen JK, Jensen PM, Kazimirova M, Oteo JA, Papa A, Pfister K, Plantard O, Randolph SE, Rizzoli A, Santos-Silva MM, Sprong H, Vial L, Hendrickx G, Zeller H, Van Bortel W. Driving forces for changes in geographical distribution of Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe. Parasit Vectors[J]. 2013 6, Article1.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-6-1

[18] Mayne P, Song S, Shao R, Burke J, Wang Y, Roberts T. Evidence for Ixodes holocyclus (Acarina: Ixodidae) as a vector for Human Lyme Borreliosis infection in Australia. J Insect Sci.[J]. 2014, 14(1): 271. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieu133

[19] Murase Y, Konnai S, Githaka N, Hidano A, Taylor K, Ito T, Takano A, Ando S, Kawabata H, Tsubota T, Murata S., Ohashi K. Prevalence of Lyme Borrelia in Ixodes persulcatus ticks from an area with a confirmed case of Lyme Disease. J Vet Med Sci.[J]. 2013, 75(2): 215 –218. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1292/jv ms/12-0211

[20] Divers TJ, Gardner RB, Madigan JE, Witonsky SG, Bertone JJ, Swinebroad EL, Schutzer SE, Johnson AL. Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme Disease in North American Horses: A Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med.[J]. 2018, 32(2): 617–632. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15042

[21] Littman MP, Gerber B, Goldstein RE, Labato MA, Lappin MR, Moore GE. ACVIM consensus update on Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med.[J]. 2018, 32(3): 887–903. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15085

[22] McDaniel CJ, Cardwell DM, Moeller RB, Gray GC. Humans and Cattle: A review of bovine zoonoses. Vector-Borne Zoonot[J]. 2014, 14(1): 1–19. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2012.1164

[23] Martínez A, Salinas A, Martínez F, Cantú A, Miller DK. Serosurvey for selected diseases agents in white-tailed deer for Mexico. J. Wildlife Dis.[J]. 1999, 33 (4): 799-808.

[24] Salinas-Meléndez JA, Ávalos-Ramírez R, Riojas-Valdez VR, Martínez-Muñoz A. Serological survey of Canine Borreliosis. Rev. Lat.-Amer. Microbiol[J] 1999, 41: 1-3.

[25] Salinas-Meléndez JA, Galván de la Garza S, Riojas-Valdés VM, Wong González A, Ávalos-Ramírez R. Antibody detection against Borrelia burgdorferi in horses located in the suburban areas of Monterrey, Nuevo León. Rev Latinoam Microbiol[J]. 2001, 43(4): 161–164.

[26] Klempner MS, Baker PJ, Shapiro ED, Marques A, Dattwyler RJ, Halperin JJ, Wormser GP. Treatment Trials for Post-Lyme Disease Symptoms Revisited. Amer J Med.[J]. 2013, 126(8): 665–669. DOI:https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.02.014

[27] Stanek G, Fingerle V, Hunfeld KP, Jaulhac B, Kaiser R, Krause A, Kristoferitschg W, O'Connell S, Ornstein K, Strle F, Gray J. Lyme borreliosis: Clinical case definitions for diagnosis and management in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect[J]. 2011, 17(1): 69-79. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2010.03175.x

[28] Montiel PG, Fuentes Vargas MG. First record of Ixodes cookie (Acari: Ixodidae) in Mexico. Rev Mex Biodiv[J]. 2007, 78: 205-206.

[29] Busson L, Reynders M, den Wijngaert S, Dahma H, Decolvenaer M, Vasseura L, Vandenberg O. Evaluation of commercial screening tests and blot assays for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Diagn Micr Infec Dis.[J]. 2012, 73(3): 246-251. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.04.001

[30] Bhate C, Schwartz RA. Lyme disease: Part II. Management and prevention. J Am Acad Dermato[J]. 2011, 64(4): 654. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.03.047

[31] Borchers AT, Keen CL, Huntley AC, Gershwin ME. Lyme disease: A rigorous review of diagnostic criteria and treatment. J Autoimmun[J]. 2015, 57: 82-115.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2014.09.004

[32] Aguero‐Rosenfeld ME, Wormser GP. Lyme disease: Diagnostic issues and controversies. Expert Rev Mol Diagn[J]. 2015, 15:1–4.

[33] Sanchez JL. Clinical manifestations and treatment of Lyme disease. Clin Lab Med.[J]. 2015, 35: 765–778.

[34] Steere AC, Strle F, Wormser GP, Hu LT, Branda JA, Joppe W. R. Hovius JWR, Li X, Mead PS Lyme borreliosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers[J]. 2016, 2: 16090. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2016.90

[35] Henry B, Crabtree A, Roth D, Blackman D, Morshed M. Lyme disease. Knowledge, beliefs, and practices of physicians in a low-endemic area. Can Fam Physician[J]. 2012, 58: e289-295.

[36] Cripps PL. Veterinary education, zoonoses and public health: a personal perspective. Acta Tropica[J]. 2000, 76: 77-80.

[37] Stewart C, Cowden J, McMenamin J, Reilly B. Veterinary public health. We need an integrated medical and veterinary approach. BMJ[J]. 2005, 331: 1213-1214.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 1 , Iss. 2 (November 2019)

Article Type

Articles

License

Copyright © 2019 Blanca Paola Boria-Gamboa, José Alfredo Villagómez-Cortés, David Itzcoatl Martínez-Herrera

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

Copyright and Licensing

The authors shall retain the copyright of their work but allow the Publisher to publish, copy, distribute, and convey the work.

Veterinary Science Research publishes accepted manuscripts under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). Authors who submit their papers for publication by Veterinary Science Research agree to have the CC BY-NC 4.0 license applied to their work, and that anyone is allowed to reuse the article or part of it free of charge for non-commercial use. As long as you follow the license terms and original source is properly cited, anyone may copy, redistribute the material in any medium or format, remix, transform, and build upon the material.

License Policy for Reuse of Third-Party Materials

If a manuscript submitted to the journal contains the materials which are held in copyright by a third-party, authors are responsible for obtaining permissions from the copyright holder to reuse or republish any previously published figures, illustrations, charts, tables, photographs, and text excerpts, etc. When submitting a manuscript, official written proof of permission must be provided and clearly stated in the cover letter.
The editorial office of the journal has the right to reject/retract articles that reuse third-party materials without permission.

Journal Policies on Data Sharing

We encourage authors to share articles published in our journal to other data platforms, but only if it is noted that it has been published in this journal.