Philibert Cynthia, Ferrolho Joana, Gibson Mark S, Ramalho de Sousa Sérgio, Vilhena Hugo, Anastácio Sofia
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Vasco da Gama University School, Avenida José R. Sousa Fernandes 197 Lordemão, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal.
Vasco da Gama Research Centre (CIVG), Department of Veterinary Sciences, Vasco da Gama University School, Avenida José R. Sousa Fernandes 197 Lordemão, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal.
Biology (Basel). 2025 Sep 17;14(9):1286. doi: 10.3390/biology14091286.
Lyme borreliosis (LB), a zoonotic disease caused by sensu lato and transmitted by , is increasingly relevant in France, yet data on public awareness and prevention are limited. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of companion-animal owners (CAOs) and veterinarians regarding LB. Online questionnaires were distributed between January and April 2023, yielding 159 valid CAO responses and 48 responses from veterinarians. Among owners, 95% reported outdoor access for their pets, 73.9% had observed ticks, and 88.8% used ectoparasiticides. However, only 16.4% reported LB vaccination, and just 38% recognized key canine clinical signs. Veterinarians frequently suspected LB (70%) but confirmed diagnoses less often (39.6%), relying mainly on clinical signs and the results of rapid tests. While prevention through antiparasitic use was common, communication between veterinarians and owners regarding LB was inconsistent. Despite this, most owners reported compliance with veterinary guidance. These findings reveal good preventive habits but identify knowledge gaps and underdiagnosis. Enhancing veterinary-client communication and promoting a One Health approach could improve LB prevention and control in France.
莱姆病（LB）是一种由狭义伯氏疏螺旋体引起并由蜱传播的人畜共患病，在法国的相关性日益增加，但关于公众认知和预防的数据有限。这项横断面研究评估了伴侣动物主人（CAO）和兽医对莱姆病的知识、态度和行为（KAP）。2023年1月至4月期间发放了在线问卷，共收到159份有效的CAO回复和48份兽医回复。在主人中，95%报告其宠物可以外出，73.9%观察到过蜱虫，88.8%使用过体外寄生虫杀虫剂。然而，只有16.4%报告为宠物接种了莱姆病疫苗，只有38%能识别关键的犬类临床症状。兽医经常怀疑莱姆病（70%），但确诊的情况较少（39.6%），主要依靠临床症状和快速检测结果。虽然通过使用抗寄生虫药物进行预防很普遍，但兽医与主人之间关于莱姆病的沟通并不一致。尽管如此，大多数主人报告会遵循兽医的指导。这些发现揭示了良好的预防习惯，但也指出了知识差距和诊断不足的问题。加强兽医与客户之间的沟通并推广“同一健康”方法，可能会改善法国莱姆病的预防和控制。
