Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq
Background: Borrelia burgdorferi is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes Lyme disease or borreliosis in domestic and wild animals including dogs, with the possible transmission to humans. Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the infection rate of Spirochetes and B. burgdorferi in stray d...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Tripoli University
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Open Veterinary Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=157240 |
| _version_ | 1797635259922120704 |
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| author | Eva Ayser Ajaj Zahraa Mustafa Al-Jumaa |
| author_facet | Eva Ayser Ajaj Zahraa Mustafa Al-Jumaa |
| author_sort | Eva Ayser Ajaj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background:
Borrelia burgdorferi is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes Lyme disease or borreliosis in domestic and wild animals including dogs, with the possible transmission to humans.
Aim:
This study was conducted to investigate the infection rate of Spirochetes and B. burgdorferi in stray dogs in Nineveh province, Iraq.
Methods:
During the period from May to October (2022), a total of 55 stray dogs were selected randomly from different areas in Nineveh province, Iraq. Blood samples were collected from cephalic venous and tested molecularly using the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.
Results:
The present study revealed that the total infection rates of Spirochetes and B. burgdorferi were 41.82% and 27.27%, respectively. Concerning age, values of infection rate, Odds ratio, and relative risk of B. burgdorferi were increased significantly in dogs aged 4 months (42.86%, 3.505 and 2.438, respectively) while decreased in dogs of 1-3 (12.5%, 0.337 and 0.42, respectively) and 3 (13.33%, 0.32 and 0.409) years old when compared to dogs aged 5-12 months (27.27%, 1 and 1, respectively). While concerning dogs sex, a significantly higher infection rate, Odds ratio and relative risk of B. burgdorferi were shown in females (32.56%, 5.495 and 6.792, respectively) compared to males (8.33%, 0.182 and 0.147, respectively).
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this represents the first Iraqi study on the prevalence of spirochetes, in particular B. burgdorferi, in stray dogs in Nineveh province (Iraq). However, additional studies of B. burgdorferi infection in other animals as well as vectors such as ticks in different geographic areas appear necessary to detect variation in the distribution patterns of infection. In addition, owners and veterinarians should be aware of zoonotic diseases transmitted from wild and domestic animals, in particular those with tick-bite histories. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(10.000): 1318-1325] |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:19:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5f84bfd7c64a40a2af048d228665105c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-4485 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T12:19:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Tripoli University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Open Veterinary Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-5f84bfd7c64a40a2af048d228665105c2023-11-07T04:56:42ZengTripoli UniversityOpen Veterinary Journal2226-44852023-10-0113101318132510.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i10.11157240Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, IraqEva Ayser Ajaj0Zahraa Mustafa Al-Jumaa1Department of Internal and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul Department of Internal and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of MosulBackground: Borrelia burgdorferi is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes Lyme disease or borreliosis in domestic and wild animals including dogs, with the possible transmission to humans. Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the infection rate of Spirochetes and B. burgdorferi in stray dogs in Nineveh province, Iraq. Methods: During the period from May to October (2022), a total of 55 stray dogs were selected randomly from different areas in Nineveh province, Iraq. Blood samples were collected from cephalic venous and tested molecularly using the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: The present study revealed that the total infection rates of Spirochetes and B. burgdorferi were 41.82% and 27.27%, respectively. Concerning age, values of infection rate, Odds ratio, and relative risk of B. burgdorferi were increased significantly in dogs aged 4 months (42.86%, 3.505 and 2.438, respectively) while decreased in dogs of 1-3 (12.5%, 0.337 and 0.42, respectively) and 3 (13.33%, 0.32 and 0.409) years old when compared to dogs aged 5-12 months (27.27%, 1 and 1, respectively). While concerning dogs sex, a significantly higher infection rate, Odds ratio and relative risk of B. burgdorferi were shown in females (32.56%, 5.495 and 6.792, respectively) compared to males (8.33%, 0.182 and 0.147, respectively). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this represents the first Iraqi study on the prevalence of spirochetes, in particular B. burgdorferi, in stray dogs in Nineveh province (Iraq). However, additional studies of B. burgdorferi infection in other animals as well as vectors such as ticks in different geographic areas appear necessary to detect variation in the distribution patterns of infection. In addition, owners and veterinarians should be aware of zoonotic diseases transmitted from wild and domestic animals, in particular those with tick-bite histories. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(10.000): 1318-1325]https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=157240spirocheteslyme diseaseborrelia burgdorferitick-transmitted diseasesiraq |
| spellingShingle | Eva Ayser Ajaj Zahraa Mustafa Al-Jumaa Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq Open Veterinary Journal spirochetes lyme disease borrelia burgdorferi tick-transmitted diseases iraq |
| title | Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq |
| title_full | Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq |
| title_fullStr | Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq |
| title_short | Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq |
| title_sort | molecular detection of spirochetes and borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of nineveh province iraq |
| topic | spirochetes lyme disease borrelia burgdorferi tick-transmitted diseases iraq |
| url | https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=157240 |
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