First Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in Serum of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Northern Portugal by Nested- PCR

• Main Author: Faria, Ana Sofia
• Publication Date: 2015
• Other Authors: Paiva-Cardoso, Maria das Neves, Nunes, Mónica, Carreira, Teresa, Vale-Gonçalves, Hélia, Veloso, Octávia, Coelho, Catarina, Cabral, João, Vieira-Pinto, Madalena, Vieira, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/4290
• topic: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; Wild boar; PCR; Fla gene; Northern Portugal; Lyme borreliosis; Zoonosis; One Health

Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne zoonosis in the northern hemisphere. Several vertebrates are crucial in the epidemiological cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, but the role of wild boar as a reservoir is still unknown. Sera were collected from 90 wild boars shot in the Trás-os-Montes region, Northern Portugal (hunting season 2011/2012). In this study, Borrelia DNA was detected for the first time by nested-PCR in three different sera, suggesting that the wild boar may be a potential reservoir for this spirochete. Sequencing results show 100% similarity with Borrelia afzelii. Further studies are needed to evaluate the public health risks associated with boar hunting.