Borreliosis
Borreliosis is a multisystem disease caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia spp. genus and transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes spp. genus. These bacteria are transmitted by various tick species, and the disease is distributed worldwide.
In Mexico, the species present is Borrelia burgdorferi , which causes Lyme disease. The disease can be transmitted to a wide variety of hosts, including birds, cats, rabbits, cows, horses, and primarily dogs and humans. This transmission potential allows the disease to spread easily if the tick is present in the environment.
Clinical signs
In domestic animals, the disease manifests with fever, arthritis, lameness, anorexia, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and purple lesions at the site of the tick bite. In horses, eye damage occurs, which can lead to blindness. In the long term, the bacteria can affect the nervous system, causing facial paralysis, seizures, and aggressive behavior.
In humans the disease is described in three stages:
Early localized disease: a purple lesion (skin rash) appears at the tick bite site, accompanied by symptoms of a common cold.
Early disseminated infection: recurrent headaches, muscle stiffness, and meningitis. Some patients experience heart and joint problems caused by the movement of bacteria through the body.
Late infection: heart and nerve damage, skin lesions, and organ failure. Once this stage is reached, the disease likely cannot be cured.
Transmission
Ticks of the genus Ixodes spp are the main vectors of the disease. In Europe, the disease is transmitted by Ixodes ricinus , while in North America it is transmitted by I. pacificus and I. scapularis .
Wild mammals such as white-tailed deer and small rodents are vectors of the disease and increase the likelihood of transmission to domestic animals or humans.
The disease has been shown to circulate in ecotourism and natural parks in central Mexico, posing a risk to public health.
Disease management
The disease should be suspected and a doctor should be consulted for a confirmatory diagnosis when a person has been in contact with ticks and signs appear on the skin. During this stage, treatment is vital to prevent the spread of the bacteria.
The disease can manifest in dogs up to months after contact with ticks, so managing infestations is vital to reducing the risk of developing the disease.
The greatest risk of infection occurs during spring, when tick activity is highest. It should also be noted that contact with disease reservoirs, such as deer, increases the likelihood of infection.
In Mexico, the northern region is considered endemic to the disease, due to the presence of Ixodes spp. ticks.
Cleaning spaces, debris, weeds, and other materials is recommended to reduce the likelihood of ticks harboring.