Abstract:Exposure of sheep to Borreliaburgdorferi sensulato (s.I.) complex, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (LB), has been reported in tick-abundant areas worldwide, while no data have been reported in Greece. The aim of the study was to identify the hematological alterations in sheep with seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi (s.I.). Blood samples were obtained from 318 tick infested sheep for blood analysis and serological determination of IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi by indirect immuno… Show more
“…Our findings are in agreement with the previous observations in sheep seropositive for B. burgdorferi s.l. in the 2021 study by Athanasiou et al [ 38 ].…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…An IFA assay was performed for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. and IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum in serum as described previously [ 21 , 38 ]. Titers ≥ 1:64 for B. burgdorferi s.l.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In asymptomatic sheep, the highest seroprevalence (56.5%) was recorded in France [ 37 ]. Recently, a study in sheep reported a seropositivity of 23.6% in Greece; anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a normal or decreased leukocyte count were the main hematological features observed in seropositive sheep [ 38 ].…”
The occurrence of co-infected hosts and questing ticks with more than one tick-borne pathogen—as in the case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato—is expected in endemic regions. Their synergy—in terms of pathogenesis and disease severity—has been suggested previously in humans. Limited data exist on the clinicopathological alterations in co-infected sheep. In this study, we investigated the impact of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. seropositivity, alone and in combination, on the hematological parameters of naturally infected sheep. A complete blood count was performed, and indirect immunofluorescence assays were used to detect IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. Single natural exposure to B. burgdorferi s.l. was characterized by low Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values and platelet (PLT) counts, while single exposure to A. phagocytophilum was characterized by low PCV values, low white blood cell (WBC) counts, and an increased risk for leukopenia and neutropenia. Co-exposure resulted in the most severe blood abnormalities; all the blood parameters decreased, and the sheep presented an increased risk for anemia. Our study showed that natural co-exposure to A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. in sheep leads to more severe blood abnormalities and enhances the pathogenic processes. More studies are needed to clarify the possible background mechanisms.
“…Our findings are in agreement with the previous observations in sheep seropositive for B. burgdorferi s.l. in the 2021 study by Athanasiou et al [ 38 ].…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…An IFA assay was performed for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. and IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum in serum as described previously [ 21 , 38 ]. Titers ≥ 1:64 for B. burgdorferi s.l.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In asymptomatic sheep, the highest seroprevalence (56.5%) was recorded in France [ 37 ]. Recently, a study in sheep reported a seropositivity of 23.6% in Greece; anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a normal or decreased leukocyte count were the main hematological features observed in seropositive sheep [ 38 ].…”
The occurrence of co-infected hosts and questing ticks with more than one tick-borne pathogen—as in the case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato—is expected in endemic regions. Their synergy—in terms of pathogenesis and disease severity—has been suggested previously in humans. Limited data exist on the clinicopathological alterations in co-infected sheep. In this study, we investigated the impact of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. seropositivity, alone and in combination, on the hematological parameters of naturally infected sheep. A complete blood count was performed, and indirect immunofluorescence assays were used to detect IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. Single natural exposure to B. burgdorferi s.l. was characterized by low Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values and platelet (PLT) counts, while single exposure to A. phagocytophilum was characterized by low PCV values, low white blood cell (WBC) counts, and an increased risk for leukopenia and neutropenia. Co-exposure resulted in the most severe blood abnormalities; all the blood parameters decreased, and the sheep presented an increased risk for anemia. Our study showed that natural co-exposure to A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. in sheep leads to more severe blood abnormalities and enhances the pathogenic processes. More studies are needed to clarify the possible background mechanisms.
“…Additionally, serological studies conducted in animals from Turkey and Bulgaria have reported seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in rodents [ 20 , 21 ], cats [ 22 , 23 ], dogs [ [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] ], and horses [ 24 , 28 , 29 ]. In Greece, serological studies have reported a low seroprevalence (up to 2.2%) in dogs [ 5 , 6 ] but a significant seropositivity of 23.6% in sheep as reported in a study from 318 tick-infested sheep [ 4 ]. Fig.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In addition, few serological studies have been conducted in animals from Greece, suggesting the possibility of Borrelia spp. presence in the country [ [4] , [5] , [6] ]. To our knowledge, physicians in Greece associate Lyme disease only with B. burgdorferi infection, as studies in the 1990s, based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), suggested the existence of B. burgdorferi [ 7 ].…”
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in the temperate climate of the Northern Hemisphere. LB is caused by spirochetes, which are grouped in the complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, vectors – Ixodidae mites, dozens of species of small mammals and birds actas reservoir hosts, and the role of reservoirs of domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, is not excluded. Although the ecology and epidemiology of the disease have been extensively studied in Europe and North America, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the study of Lyme borreliosis in veterinary medicine. Search, selection andanalysis of scientific data on the research topic were carried out according to acceptable rules for systematic reviews of the literature. The scientometric database Web of Science Core Collection, the database of scientific articles Pub Med and the database Scientific Periodicals of Ukraine were used. Seventy-four scientific articles were used for the article, which contained the necessary set of data and met the set goal. The article highlights the main issues of the etiology of the disease, which describes the characteristics of the pathogen, its properties, genotypic composition of Borrelia, which cause Lyme disease, the spread of pathogenic genotypes of Borrelia in Europe and Ukraine. The connection of Lyme borreliosis spread with ecological factors, climatic changes and anthropogenic impact on biocenoses and biotopes, the role of vectors and reservoir hosts in the spread of LB is described. Data on the prevalence and degree of infection of Ixodes mites with Borrelia, as well as the spread of LB among the population of Europe and Ukraine are presented. The seroprevalence of each of the animal species (dogs, cats, horses, ruminants), clinical manifestations of LB, if documented and indicators of LB prevalence among animals in Europe and Ukraine, as well as currently known treatments, prevention and diagnosis of LB animals are considered.
Key words: Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato, Lyme Diseases Etiology, Ixodidae.
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