Table 1.
Prevalence of exposure and infection with Borrelia persica and demographic characteristics in 208 dogs as determined by DNA detection by PCR and antibody detection by ELISA
| Variable | Number of dogs | PCR+ (%) | Seropositive (%)a | PCR+ or seropositive (%)b |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 208 | 4 (1.9) | 24 (11.5) | 28 (11.5) |
| Sex | ||||
| Female | 99 | 3 (2.8) | 12 (11) | 15 (13.7) |
| Male | 109 | 1 (1) | 12 (12.1) | 13 (13.1) |
| Statistical significance | χ2 = 0.001, df = 1, P = 0.973 | χ2 = 0.001, df = 1, P = 0.973 | ||
| Breed | ||||
| Purebred | 76 | 3 (3.9) | 9 (11.8) | 12 (15.78) |
| Mixed | 132 | 1 (9.1) | 15 (11.3) | 16 (12.1) |
| Statistical significance | χ2 = 0.0001, df = 1, P = 1 | χ2 = 0.287, df = 1, P = 0.592 | ||
| Age | ||||
| Juvenile | 9 | 0 (0) | 1 (11.1) | 1 (11.1) |
| Adult | 199 | 4 (2.1) | 23 (11.5) | 27 (13.5) |
| Statistical significance | χ2 = 0.0001, df = 1, P = 1 | χ2 = 0.0001, df = 1, P = 1 | ||
| Antibiotic treatment | ||||
| Yes | 16 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| No | 108 | 3 (2.7) | 19 (17.6) | 22 (20) |
| Unknown | 84 | 1 (1.1) | 5 (5.9) | 6 (7.14) |
| Statistical significance | *χ2 = 8.533, df = 2, P = 0.014 | *χ2 = 9.793, df = 2, P = 0.007 | ||
| Habitat | ||||
| Urban | 183 | 4 (2.3) | 20 (10.9) | 24 (13.1) |
| Rural | 25 | 0 (0) | 4 (16) | 4 (16) |
| Statistical significance | χ2 = 0.169, df = 1, P = 0.681 | χ2 = 0.007, df = 1, P = 0.933 | ||
| Climate | ||||
| Mediterranean | 143 | 3 (2) | 13 (9) | 16 (11.1) |
| Semi-arid | 65 | 1 (1.5) | 11 (17) | 12 (18.4) |
| Arid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Statistical significance | χ2 = 1.973, df = 2, P = 0.160 | χ2 = 1.453, df = 2, P = 0.228 | ||
| Geographic area of residence | ||||
| Central Israel | 47 | 0 (0) | 4 (8.5) | 4 (8.3) |
| Jerusalem | 16 | 0 (0) | 3 (18.7) | 3 (18.7) |
| Judean desert | 60 | 1 (1.7) | 10 (16.7) | 11 (16.7) |
| Coastal plain | 77 | 3 (3.9) | 7 (9.1) | 10 (9.1) |
| South-central Israel | 8 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Statistical significance | χ2 = 4.279, df = 4, P = 0.370 | χ2 = 3.855, df = 4, P = 0.426 | ||
*Statistically significant association
aStatistical significance shown is based on serology results only
bStatistical significance shown is based on combined serology and PCR results