Spirochetemia caused by Borrelia turicatae infection in 3 dogs in Texas

Vet Clin Pathol. 2007 Jun;36(2):212-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2007.tb00213.x.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Borrelia / classification
  • Borrelia / isolation & purification*
  • Borrelia / physiology*
  • Borrelia Infections / diagnosis
  • Borrelia Infections / drug therapy
  • Borrelia Infections / microbiology
  • Borrelia Infections / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology*
  • Dogs
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Male
  • Texas

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline