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Cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. and demographic, clinical and tick-exposure factors in Swedish horses.
Abstract: A cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. in Swedish horses was conducted to evaluate associations with demographic, clinical and tick-exposure factors. From September 1997-1998, blood samples from 2018 horses were collected from the animals presented to veterinary clinics affiliated with the Swedish Horserace Totalizator Board (regardless of the primary cause for consultation). Standardized questionnaires with information both from owners and attending veterinarians accompanied each blood sample. The apparent seroprevalences to B. burgdorferi s. l. and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. were 16.8 and 16.7%, respectively. The northern region had the lowest seroprevalences. Four logistic models were developed (controlling for demographic variables). In the disease model of seropositivity to B. burgdorferi s. l., age, breed, geographic region, the serologic titer to granulocytic Ehrlichia spp., season and the diagnosis coffin-joint arthritis were significant. In the tick-exposure model of B. burgdorferi s. l., pasture access the previous year and gender were significant. Age, racing activity, geographic region, season and the serologic titer to B. burgdorferi s. l. were associated with positivity to granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. In the tick-exposure model of granulocytic Ehrlichia spp., pasture access was a risk factor. An interaction between racing activity and geographic region showed that the risk of positive serologic reactions to Ehrlichia spp. was increased in the horse population in the south and middle of Sweden, but only among horses not used for racing. Except for the positive association between coffin-joint arthritis and serologic reactions to B. burgdorferi s. l., there were no significant associations in the multivariable models between non-specific or specific clinical sign or disease with seropositivity to either of these agents.
Publication Date: 2001-04-20 PubMed ID: 11311953DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(01)00187-8Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Lyme Disease
- Public Health
- Serological Surveys
- Seroprevalence
- Tick-Borne Diseases
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research investigates the prevalence and factors associated with Borrelia burgdorferi and granulocytic Ehrlichia infections in Swedish horses, with the results showing respective prevalence rates of 16.8% and 16.7%, and certain factors like age, breed, geographic region, and tick-exposure playing a significant role.
Research Design and Methods
- The study is cross-sectional in nature and was carried out to understand the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. infections in Swedish horses.
- Data collection was conducted from September 1997 to 1998, where blood samples were taken from 2018 horses that were consulted at veterinary clinics in association with the Swedish Horserace Totalizator Board.
- Each blood sample was accompanied by the completion of standardized questionnaires from the horse owners and attending veterinarians, providing comprehensive data for analysis.
Key Findings
- The results revealed a prevalence of 16.8% for B. burgdorferi and 16.7% for granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. infections.
- The lowest prevalence rates were found in horses located in the northern region.
- A variety of factors were associated with the occurrence of these infections, including age, breed, and geographic location among others.
Logistic Models
- Four logistic models were developed for the study, with each model controlling for demographic variables and focusing on different aspects of the disease.
- In the disease model of B. burgdorferi, significant factors included age, breed, geographic region, serologic titer to Granulocytic Ehrlichia spp., season, and coffin-joint arthritis diagnosis.
- In the tick-exposure model, pasture access in the previous year and the gender of the horse were significant for B. burgdorferi infection.
- For granulocytic Ehrlichia spp, factors such as age, racing activity, geographic region, season, and the serologic titer to B. burgdorferi played a significant role.
- In this model, pasture access was identified as a risk factor for tick exposure.
Interactions and Associations
- The study found an interaction between racing activity and geographic region, with an increased risk of positive serologic reactions to Ehrlichia spp. in horses in the south and middle of Sweden, but only for those not used for racing.
- Notably, there was a positive association between coffin-joint arthritis and serologic reactions to B. burgdorferi, but no other significant associations were found in the multivariable models between clinical signs of disease and seropositivity.
Cite This Article
APA
Egenvall A, Franzén P, Gunnarsson A, Engvall EO, Vågsholm I, Wikström UB, Artursson K.
(2001).
Cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. and demographic, clinical and tick-exposure factors in Swedish horses.
Prev Vet Med, 49(3-4), 191-208.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(01)00187-8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Ruminant Medicine and Veterinary Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7019, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden. agneta.egenvall@kirmed.slu.se
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Borrelia burgdorferi Group / immunology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Demography
- Ehrlichia / immunology
- Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
- Ehrlichiosis / immunology
- Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Lyme Disease / epidemiology
- Lyme Disease / immunology
- Lyme Disease / veterinary
- Male
- Seasons
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Sweden / epidemiology
- Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
- Tick-Borne Diseases / immunology
- Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary
- Ticks
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Kašpárková N, Bártová E, Žákovská A, Budíková M, Sedlák K. Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Clinically Healthy and Sick Horses: First Report from the Czech Republic. Microorganisms 2023 Jun 29;11(7).
- Costa SCL, de Souza Freitas J, Carvalho FS, Pereira MJS, Cordeiro MD, da Fonseca AH, Gomes Jusi MM, Machado RZ, Munhoz AD. Frequency and factors associated of potential zoonotic pathogens (Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Leishmania spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum) in equids in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2021 May 22;14(1):275.
- Bogdan AM, Ionita M, Mitrea IL. Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania. Microorganisms 2021 Feb 12;9(2).
- Springer A, Glass A, Topp AK, Strube C. Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Temperate and Cold Regions of Europe-A Review on the Prevalence in Domestic Animals. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:604910.
- Laamari A, Azzag N, Tennah S, Derdour SY, China B, Boꯚllah R, Ghalmi F. Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against Anaplasma Phagocytophilum and Borrelia Burgdorferi in Horses (Equus Caballus) from Northern Algeria. J Vet Res 2020 Sep;64(3):413-419.
- Dos Santos TM, Roier ECR, Pires MS, Santos HA, Vilela JAR, Peckle M, Paulino PG, Baldani CD, Massard CL. Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi coinfection in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vet Anim Sci 2019 Jun;7:100055.
- Houben RMAC, Meersschaert C, Hendrickx G, Pitel PH, Amory H. Modelling the probability and impact of false-positive serology for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato: A case study. Equine Vet J 2021 Jan;53(1):71-77.
- M'ghirbi Y, Yaïch H, Ghorbel A, Bouattour A. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses and ticks in Tunisia. Parasit Vectors 2012 Aug 30;5:180.
- Hansen MG, Christoffersen M, Thuesen LR, Petersen MR, Bojesen AM. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Danish horses. Acta Vet Scand 2010 Jan 18;52(1):3.
- Båverud V, Gunnarsson A, Engvall EO, Franzén P, Egenvall A. Leptospira seroprevalence and associations between seropositivity, clinical disease and host factors in horses. Acta Vet Scand 2009 Mar 30;51(1):15.
- Dahmani A, Salhi O, Nabi M, Boucif A, Mekroud M, Touhami NAK, Ouchene N. Abortive diseases in horses and donkeys in Algeria: a systematic review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):30.
- Akin I, Ozcan O, Ozturan YA. Parasites and lameness in domestic animals. Vet Res Commun 2025 Apr 30;49(3):181.
- Kloster H, Stormo C, Haaland AH, Stuen S, Kjelland V. Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies Against Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Virus in Horses in Southern Norway. Microorganisms 2025 Mar 28;13(4).
- Ajaj EA, Al-Jumaa ZM. Molecular detection of Spirochetes and Borrelia burgdorferi in stray dogs of Nineveh province, Iraq. Open Vet J 2023 Oct;13(10):1318-1325.
- Athanasiou LV, Katsogiannou EG, Tyrnenopoulou P, Gougoulis D, Apostolidis KN, Papadakis SM, Kokkinaki KCG, Papatsiros VG, Tsokana CN. Evidence of Horse Exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leishmania infantum in Greece through the Detection of IgG Antibodies in Serum and in an Alternative Diagnostic Sample-The Saliva. Biomolecules 2023 Sep 11;13(9).
- 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).
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