Zeckenübertragene Erkrankungen beim Hund in Deutschland – Teil 2: Borreliose, Anaplasmose, Babesiose: Diagnostik

This article summarizes the criteria and algorithms for clinical diagnosis and monitoring in dogs, including case history, direct detection (blood smears, molecular detection by species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing) and indirect methods (whole-cell and peptide-based antibody tests). Laboratory abnormalities (haematology, clinical chemistry, urine) are also presented. Annual fluctuations and reasons for changes in prevalence of Lyme borreliosis (especially for Borrelia) are discussed. The role of C6 antibody concentration (C6AC) and its correlation with proteinuria, SDMA and Lyme nephritis are assessed based on new data. Consideration is also given to the importance of blood smears, PCR and serology in the case of anaplasmosis and babesiosis, and the diagnostic value of combining these methods. The relevance of molecular differentiation of Anaplasma species (A. phagocytophilum versus A. platys) and Babesia spp. (large versus small forms) in cases of serological crossreaction is emphasized.