Prevalence of canine Lyme disease from an endemic area as determined by serosurvey

Abstract

From August 1984 through February 1985, 423 dogs from 43 municipalities in 7 New Jersey counties were evaluated for the presence of antibodies to the Lyme disease spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi). Of these dogs, 34.7% with no apparent clinical symptoms were serologically reactive (IFA greater than or equal to 1:64); titers in this study ranged from non-reactive to 1:2048. Ninety percent of the dogs surveyed had a current vaccination status to Leptospira interrogans serovars canicola and icterohaemorhagiae. Dogs vaccinated to leptospirosis elicited homologous antibody titers of less than or equal to 1:16 and, therefore, did not interfere with interpretation of antibody levels to B. burgdorferi. Effects of age, degree of outdoor activity, travel history, and location of residence were evaluated. The use of serosurveys of dogs as a tool for Lyme disease surveillance is discussed.