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American journal of veterinary research1985; 46(12); 2570-2571;

Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in New England horses: serologic survey.

Abstract: Twelve of 50 randomly selected horses from areas endemic for Borrelia burgdorferi had indirect fluorescent antibody titers of 1:8 to 1:2,048 against B burgdorferi. One of 50 horses from nonendemic areas had a titer of 1:8. This difference in the number of horses seropositive for B burgdorferi (P less than 0.002) and our finding that seropositive horses did not have agglutinating antibodies against potentially cross-reacting Leptospira spp indicated that horses in endemic areas were exposed to B burgdorferi and that the spirochete induced an antibody response in the horses.
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Publication Date: 1985-12-01 PubMed ID: 4083595
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article reports that some horses in Borrelia burgdorferi-infected areas of New England exhibited an immune response to the bacterium, while horses in non-endemic areas had very little exposure to the bacterium.

Objective of Research

  • The main aim of this research was to study the prevalence and immune response of B. burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, in horses from endemic and non-endemic areas in New England.

Methodology and Approach

  • A total of 50 horses each from both areas were randomly selected for this serologic survey.
  • The team conducted the indirect fluorescent antibody test, a diagnostic method used to detect specific antibodies in the blood serum of the horses. This test measures the concentration of antibodies, known as titers.

Findings

  • Out of the 50 horses selected from B. burgdorferi endemic areas, 12 had evidence of an immune response to the bacterium, with the antibody titers ranging from 1:8 to 1:2,048.
  • Conversely, only one out of 50 horses sampled from non-endemic areas showed evidence of exposure to B. burgdorferi, with an antibody titer of 1:8. This significant difference emphasizes that horses in endemic areas are more likely to be exposed to the bacteria.

Significance of the Findings

  • The researchers found that these seropositive horses did not carry agglutinating antibodies against Leptospira species, a bacteria group that could potentially cross-react and skew the results. This finding proves that the immune response seen in these horses was specifically due to B. burgdorferi.
  • The results from this research highlight that horses in B. burgdorferi endemic areas are exposed to the bacterium, and being exposed, they develop an antibody response. This finding is significant as it suggests that horses may serve as a useful sentinel species for monitoring the prevalence and distribution of B. burgdorferi, and thus the risk of Lyme disease, in these regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Marcus LC, Patterson MM, Gilfillan RE, Urband PH. (1985). Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in New England horses: serologic survey. Am J Vet Res, 46(12), 2570-2571.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 12
Pages: 2570-2571

Researcher Affiliations

Marcus, L C
    Patterson, M M
      Gilfillan, R E
        Urband, P H

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
          • Borrelia / immunology
          • Borrelia Infections / immunology
          • Borrelia Infections / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / immunology
          • Horses
          • New England

          Grant Funding

          • 2-507-RR05852-03 / NCRR NIH HHS

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
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            doi: 10.1111/jvim.15042pubmed: 29469222google scholar: lookup
          2. Funk RA, Pleasant RS, Witonsky SG, Reeder DS, Werre SR, Hodgson DR. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Horses Presented for Coggins Testing in Southwest Virginia and Change in Positive Test Results Approximately 1 Year Later. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1300-4.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.13973pubmed: 27214745google scholar: lookup
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            pubmed: 26028677
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            doi: 10.1023/a:1020912618950pubmed: 12507035google scholar: lookup
          5. Hovmark A, Asbrink E, Schwan O, Hederstedt B, Christensson D. Antibodies to Borrelia spirochetes in sera from Swedish cattle and sheep. Acta Vet Scand 1986;27(4):479-85.
            doi: 10.1186/BF03548127pubmed: 3604822google scholar: lookup
          6. Magnarelli LA, Anderson JF. Ticks and biting insects infected with the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. J Clin Microbiol 1988 Aug;26(8):1482-6.
            doi: 10.1128/jcm.26.8.1482-1486.1988pubmed: 3170711google scholar: lookup
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            doi: 10.1128/CMR.1.4.399pubmed: 3069200google scholar: lookup
          8. Lindenmayer J, Weber M, Bryant J, Marquez E, Onderdonk A. Comparison of indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western immunoblot for the diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs. J Clin Microbiol 1990 Jan;28(1):92-6.
            doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.1.92-96.1990pubmed: 2405018google scholar: lookup
          9. Caputa AC, Murtaugh MP, Bey RF, Loken KI. 110-kilodalton recombinant protein which is immunoreactive with sera from humans, dogs, and horses with Lyme borreliosis. J Clin Microbiol 1991 Nov;29(11):2418-23.
            doi: 10.1128/jcm.29.11.2418-2423.1991pubmed: 1774245google scholar: lookup
          10. Fridriksdóttir V, Nesse LL, Gudding R. Seroepidemiological studies of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in sheep in Norway. J Clin Microbiol 1992 May;30(5):1271-7.
            doi: 10.1128/jcm.30.5.1271-1277.1992pubmed: 1583130google scholar: lookup
          11. Gehlen H, Inerle K, Bartel A, Stöckle SD, Ulrich S, Briese B, Straubinger RK. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infections in German Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 14;13(12).
            doi: 10.3390/ani13121984pubmed: 37370494google scholar: lookup
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