Association of Borrelia burgdorferi with nuchal bursitis and elevated outer surface protein A-specific serum antibodies in horses of the northeastern United States.
Abstract: Evaluate the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi in cases of equine nuchal bursitis (NB) and investigate the relationship between elevated serum outer surface protein A (OspA) antibodies and the molecular identification of B burgdorferi in bursal tissue or synovial fluid. Additionally, describe clinical cases and compare the histologic changes in NB with and without detection of B burgdorferi. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study (2013 to 2022). Medical records from horses with a diagnosis of NB and B burgdorferi PCR testing on NB tissue or synovial fluid were reviewed. The study population included 11 horses with a postmortem diagnosis of NB, 19 horses from the northeastern US with an antemortem diagnosis of B burgdorferi PCR-positive NB, and 15 healthy controls without evidence of NB and unvaccinated for B burgdorferi. Where serum was available, Lyme multiplex assay results were compared with controls and ELISAs targeting individual B burgdorferi antigens were performed. Histologic findings in nuchal bursa tissue were compared between NB cases with and without B burgdorferi PCR detection. Results: Serum OspA antibody values in B burgdorferi-positive NB cases (n = 13) were significantly elevated (P < .001) compared to controls (15), and OspA was the predominant antigen detected by ELISA (8). Histopathology did not vary between NB cases with (n = 9) and without (6) B burgdorferi PCR detection. Conclusions: The presence of B burgdorferi in the nuchal bursa of horses is associated with increased serum OspA antibodies. Conclusions: The role of B burgdorferi in equine NB may be underestimated, and targeted therapy requires investigation.
Publication Date: 2024-09-06 PubMed ID: 39241798DOI: 10.2460/javma.24.05.0312Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study investigated the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi, an organism associated with Lyme disease, in horses diagnosed with equine nuchal bursitis in the northeastern US. Additionally, the study examined the relationship between elevated levels of specific antibodies and the presence of B burgdorferi in the bursa tissue or synovial fluid.
Study Design
- This study was carried out retrospectively, focusing on a cohort from 2013 to 2022.
- The researchers looked at medical records from horses diagnosed with nuchal bursitis (NB) and those tested for B burgdorferi using PCR testing on NB tissue or synovial fluid.
- The study included 11 horses diagnosed with NB postmortem, 19 horses diagnosed with B burgdorferi-positive NB, and 15 healthy controls without NB who had not been vaccinated for B burgdorferi.
- Where available, Lyme multiplex assay results from these horses’ serum samples were compared with controls, and individual B burgdorferi antigens were tested via ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays).
- The team also compared histopathological findings in nuchal bursa tissue between NB cases with and without B burgdorferi PCR detection.
Results
- There was a significant increase in serum outer surface protein A (OspA) antibodies in B burgdorferi-positive NB cases compared to controls.
- OspA was the most detected antigen by ELISA.
- The histopathology did not show any variance between NB cases with and without B burgdorferi PCR detection. This indicates that the presence of B burgdorferi does not alter the histopathological characteristics of NB.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that a correlation exists between the presence of B burgdorferi in the nuchal bursa of horses and elevated serum OspA antibodies.
- The research further suggests that the role of B burgdorferi in the development of equine nuchal bursitis may be underestimated, indicating the need for future studies and targeted therapy options.
Cite This Article
APA
Pearson EK, Guarino C, Cercone M, Divers T, Lambert J, García-López J, Johnson AL, Engiles JB, Marconi R, Smith J, Brown K, Pinn-Woodcock T.
(2024).
Association of Borrelia burgdorferi with nuchal bursitis and elevated outer surface protein A-specific serum antibodies in horses of the northeastern United States.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1-9.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.05.0312 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
- 2Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
- 1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
- 3Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA.
- 4Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- 4Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- 4Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- 5Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
- 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
- 4Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- 2Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
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