Seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in sheep and goats from mountainous areas of Slovakia.

In the present study, domestic animals such as sheep and goats from eastern Slovakia were screened for the presence of anti-Borrelia antibodies. Seroprevalence in 181 sheep and 65 goats were carried out in 1999 and 2000. Modified ELISA method was used for detection of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies. Seroprevalence obtained was 15.8% and 17.5% in 1999 and 2000 respectively in sheep, whereas in goats it was 17.2% and 19.4% respectively. The results suggest that these domestic species have potential to transmit the disease to other animals. Though the role of sheep and goats in Lyme disease has not yet been documented, there is great possibility of transmission of the causative agent via co-feeding to human beings.