Retrospective Analysis of Potential Lyme Disease Clinical Cases in Argentina.

Lyme disease, a multisystemic infectious disorder caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Borrelia transmitted by the bite of ticks, typically from the family Ixodidae, pose a significant public health issue worldwide. The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) group encompasses the Borrelia Lyme Group (LG), Borrelia Echidna-Reptile Group (REPG), and Borrelia Relapsing Fever Group (RFG), with some species remaining unclassified due to culturing challenges. Research into B. burgdorferi s.l. infection (Lyme Group) has intensified, focusing on its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Originally identified in North America and Europe, Lyme disease has now become a global concern, with Latin American countries reporting the microorganism, the disease, and/or its vectors. In Argentina, the presence of B. burgdorferi and Lyme disease has sparked significant scientific and medical debate. Ecological changes due to climate and habitat shifts have expanded the geographical distribution of these ticks. Argentina, with its diverse geography and climate, hosts various tick species that could potentially act as Lyme disease vectors, raising important public health questions. The confirmed presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and Lyme disease in Argentina remains contentious but relevant, necessitating thorough scientific and medical examination. This work aims to enhance understanding and discussion of Lyme disease in Argentina by presenting clinical cases and their laboratory analyses, highlighting the disease's presence and implications in the country. Through documenting suspected clinical cases and analyzing available data on B. burgdorferi and Lyme disease in Argentina, this study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the disease's current status and inform future research, prevention, and control strategies in the region. The goal is to provide a basis for addressing Lyme disease's public health impact in Argentina and promote further investigation into this evolving issue.

Lyme Disease: A Review with Emphasis on Latin America.

The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme Group) is the causative agent of Lyme disease, transmitted to humans through tick bites carrying the bacteria. Common symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and the characteristic erythema migrans skin rash. If left untreated, the infection can affect joints, the cardiac system, and the nervous system. Diagnosis relies on symptoms, clinical signs (such as the rash), and potential exposure to infected ticks, with laboratory tests proving valuable when appropriately employed with validated methods. Most cases of Lyme disease respond effectively to a few weeks of antibiotic treatment. In Latin America, knowledge of Lyme disease is limited and often confounded, underscoring the significance of this review in aiding medical professionals in recognizing the disease. This study delves explicitly into Lyme disease in Argentina, neighboring countries, and other Latin American nations.

Parasitologic examination and associated risk factors of domestic dogs at the domestic-wildlife interface in the Iberá wetlands Ecoregion, Argentina.

The wildlife-domestic interface represents points of contact between wild animals and human-associated domestic animals, and provides opportunities for the dissemination and transmission of parasitic agents. Domestic dogs are reservoirs of parasitic agents, many of which are capable of infecting wild animals. To better investigate this potential risk at the Iberá wetlands eco-region, fecal samples from dogs present at the wildlife-domestic interface of two protected areas in Corrientes province, Argentina were examined. The prevalence of intestinal parasites and overall generic richness were examined and associations with age, sex, body condition, anthelmintic treatments and dog movement restriction were explored. From August-September 2017, questionnaires were carried out and fecal samples collected from 51 dogs at the interface zones. The overall estimated prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 63%. Nine genera of helminths and four protozoans were found in the examined dogs, many of which are known to infect wild carnivores and several have zoonotic potential. Ancylostoma and Isospora were the most prevalent genera. Freedom to roam was positively associated with prevalence and richness. From all dogs in our study, only a small proportion (17%) is subjected to some degree of movement restriction, while most dogs were free roaming. Veterinary health care and treatment was also extremely limited. The findings of this study revealed conditions of high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, lack of veterinary care and unrestricted roaming; all circumstances that suggest that dogs that live at these interface zones pose an infection risk to sympatric wildlife.