Detection of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in naturally infected horses in the USA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using whole-cell and recombinant antigens.

The research paper investigates the detection of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease, in horses from USA using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study finds that 82 out of 98 tested horses, suspected to have borreliosis, showed presence of antibodies against the bacteria.

Objective of the research

• The primary objective of this research was to detect the presence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in the blood of naturally infected horses in Connecticut and New York State, USA.
• This study was motivated by the need to verify the presence of this bacterium in horses, as it could indicate that the horses were infected with Lyme disease or granulocytic ehrlichiosis, both of which can have severe health implications for the animals.

Methodology

• The researchers collected blood samples from a total of 98 horses during 1985, 1995, and 1996. These horses were suspected of being infected with either borreliosis or granulocytic ehrlichiosis.
• The antibody detection was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which utilized whole-cell and recombinant antigens.
• Various antigens were used in the ELISA, including whole-cell antigens, protein (p)37, and VlsE antigens.

Findings

• Results indicated that 82 out of 98 (or 84%) of the tested horses had serum antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, confirming their infection.
• On further breakdown, it was observed that 59% of the 181 sera tested were positive when using whole-cell antigens, compared to 48% that were positive with protein (p)37 and 35% with VlsE antigens.

Implications

• The findings signify that an ELISA which contains either protein (p)37 or VlsE antigens can act as a useful adjunct for general screening.
• This can act as a supplement to other methods like immunoblotting particularly in animals that have not been vaccinated for the disease.
• By enabling easier detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in horses, the study could help in the better management and treatment of conditions like borreliosis and granulocytic ehrlichiosis.