Tick-borne relapsing fever as a potential veterinary medical problem

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), caused by Borrelia bacteria, is underreported in veterinary medicine.
• Soft (Ornithodoros) and hard ticks are vectors, frequently interacting with animal hosts.
• Existing literature suggests potential impacts, including fatal canine infections and equine abortions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on TBRF cases in domestic and wild animals.
• To assess the potential veterinary medical significance of TBRF.
• To underscore the need for further investigation into TBRF's impact on animal health and productivity.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of published cases and reports on TBRF in animals.
• Analysis of documented occurrences and suspected impacts on animal health.
• Synthesis of information regarding vector distribution and host associations.

Main Results:

• Sporadic reports indicate TBRF can cause severe illness, including fatalities in dogs and abortions in horses.
• The true prevalence and economic impact of TBRF in animal populations remain largely unquantified.
• Limited diagnostic capabilities in some regions may lead to underdiagnosis.

Conclusions:

• TBRF poses a potential, yet underestimated, threat to animal health and agricultural productivity.
• Further field and laboratory studies are crucial to understand TBRF pathogenesis, vector competence, and geographic distribution in animals.
• Investigating animal TBRF is vital for managing the disease and preventing zoonotic transmission to humans.