Association between the use of the acaricides, household type, tick bite and seropositivity against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in clinically healthy dogs in Latvia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between seropositivity to Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and the following factors: (i) type of household (rural vs. urban), (ii) use of acaricides (type and seasonality/duration), and (iii) history of tick bite (season). Blood samples were collected from all the dogs in the household and dog owners were surveyed. Serological examination was performed with the SNAP 4Dx test kit (IDEXX). Of 400 clinically healthy dogs 44 (11%) were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum and 11 (2.75%) were seropositive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato. Seroprevalence against A. phagocytophilum was significantly higher in dogs from rural households. In a household with several dogs and with tick attachment in autumn the odds of being seropositive against A. phagocytophilum increased. The use of the acaricides (type and regularity of application) was not associated with significantly increased risk of being seropositive against A. phagocytophilum or B. burgdorferi sensu lato.