First record of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antibodies in stray dogs in the Northwest Region of Parana State, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato s.l. antibodies in stray dogs of the urban area of Umuarama Town, localized in the northwest region of Parana state, Brazil. Serum samples from 168 dogs were tested using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western Blot (WB) in order to detect anti-Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. antibodies. The IFI analysis was used as screening test and positive results were confirmed employing the WB technique. Sixty-five (38.69%) of 168 serum samples were positive in the IFI; 54 of them (83.07%) were confirmed by the WB. The overall data analysis confirmed the presence of anti-B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies in 32.14% (54/168) dogs, what suggests that northwest region of Parana State may constitute a risk area for Lyme disease. Further studies are necessary to determine the epidemiological characteristics of this disease in the region studied. Key words: Borreliosis, canids, diagnostic, IFA, western blot ResumoO objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-B. burgdorferi sensu lato sl em cães errantes da área urbana da cidade de Umuarama, localizado na região noroeste do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Amostras de soro de 168 cães foram testados utilizando imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) e Western Blot (WB), a fim de detectar anticorpos anti-Borrelia burgdorferi sl. A IFI foi utilizada como teste de triagem e os resultados positivos foram confirmados empregando a técnica de WB. Sessenta e cinco (38,69%) de 168 amostras de soro foram positivas na IFI; 54 deles (83,07%) foram confirmados pela WB. A análise geral dos dados confirmaram a presença de anticorpos anti-B. burgdorferi sl em