Tick-borne encephalitis virus in dogs--is this an issue?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a zoonotic arbovirus with increasing geographic spread in Eurasia.
• Dogs are susceptible to TBE virus infection and serve as sentinels in endemic areas.
• Recent case reports highlight rising public health concerns and diagnostic challenges in non-endemic regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review on Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in dogs.
• To address the challenges in diagnosing TBE in dogs due to increased travel and lack of veterinarian awareness.
• To discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and prevention strategies for TBE in canine populations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on TBE in dogs.
• Analysis of epidemiological trends and case reports.
• Synthesis of information on clinical signs and diagnostic approaches.

Main Results:

• Dogs are accidental hosts for TBE virus, readily infected but not significant spreaders.
• While dogs seroconvert, they appear more resistant to clinical disease than humans.
• Increased travel with companion dogs leads to misdiagnosis in non-endemic areas.

Conclusions:

• An updated understanding of TBE in dogs is crucial for veterinarians.
• Early recognition and diagnosis are essential for managing TBE in canine populations.
• Prevention strategies and increased awareness are necessary due to the expanding range of TBE virus.