Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi-specific C6 antibody in dogs before and after implementation of a nonadjuvanted recombinant outer surface protein A vaccine in a Rhode Island small animal clinic.

Abstract

A Borrelia burgdorferi antibody screening and vaccination program was established at a 2.5-doctor small animal hospital where no prior program had existed. A commercially available nonadjuvanted recombinant outer surface protein A vaccine was given at day 0, 3 weeks, and 6 months and then yearly based on recommendations by Topfer and Straubinger. Analysis of Lyme-specific serologic results in the hospital's canine patient population over a 33-month period showed that >99% of C6 Lyme antibody-positive dogs had not been immunized, were previously C6 antibody positive, or had not completed the hospital's recommended vaccine protocol. Additionally, the overall seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi C6 antibody decreased in the patient population during the postvaccination period.