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Journal of clinical microbiology1993; 31(9); 2451-2455; doi: 10.1128/jcm.31.9.2451-2455.1993

Serologic analysis of dogs, horses, and cottontail rabbits for antibodies to an antigenic flagellar epitope of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Abstract: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoblots using either whole-cell lysates of Borrelia burgdorferi or an antigenic region of flagellin (41-G) as the antigen were performed, and the abilities of the two assays to detect antibodies to this spirochete in dog, cottontail rabbit, and horse sera were compared. Assays using whole-cell B. burgdorferi lysates as the antigen were more sensitive for detecting antibodies. ELISA with 41-G as the antigen were specific for Borrelia antibodies but were not as sensitive as the assays with whole-cell lysates coated to the solid phase. Use of recombinant full-length flagellin, rather than 41-G, as the antigen in immunoblots increased the sensitivity of each assay. However, antibodies to other bacterial antigens cross-react with whole flagellin and may account for false-positive results. Antibodies to B. burgdorferi outer surface protein A or B were usually undetected when the sera were tested by immunoblotting methods. Borrelia lysates or the 41-G antigen may be used in ELISA or immunoblots to document host exposure to this spirochete. The use of 41-G as the antigen may increase the specificity of an assay or help confirm the serologic diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in dogs, horses, and cottontail rabbits.
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Publication Date: 1993-09-01 PubMed ID: 7691874PubMed Central: PMC265777DOI: 10.1128/jcm.31.9.2451-2455.1993Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • 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 is about the comparative analysis of two assays (ELISA and immunoblots) used to detect antibodies of Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium causing Lyme disease, in dogs, horses, and cottontail rabbits. The study found that assays utilizing whole-cell B. burgdorferi lysates as the antigen were more sensitive in detecting antibodies, and the use of 41-G antigen may increase the specificity of an assay or help confirm the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoblots with either whole-cell lysates of Borrelia burgdorferi or an antigenic region of flagellin (41-G) as the antigen.
  • These two assays were used to test dog, cottontail rabbit, and horse sera for antibodies to this spirochete.

Findings

  • It was found that assays using whole-cell B. burgdorferi lysates as the antigen were more sensitive for detecting antibodies. This indicates that these assays were more successful in identifying the presence of the B. burgdorferi bacteria, thus pointing towards a potential Lyme disease infection.
  • ELISA with 41-G as the antigen were found to be specifically effective for detecting Borrelia antibodies but were not as sensitive as the assays using whole-cell lysates against the solid phase.
  • The study also found that using recombinant full-length flagellin, a type of protein, instead of 41-G as the antigen in immunoblots, increased each assay’s sensitivity. However, antibodies to other bacterial antigens demonstrated cross-reactivity with the whole flagellin, potentially causing false positive results.
  • The study noted that antibodies to B. burgdorferi outer surface protein A or B were usually undetected when the sera were tested by immunoblotting methods.

Implications

  • Borrelia lysates or the 41-G antigen can be used in ELISA or immunoblots to document host exposure to the B. burgdorferi spirochete, which causes Lyme disease.
  • Use of 41-G as an antigen could increase an assay’s specificity or help confirm the serologic diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in dogs, horses, and cottontail rabbits.
  • The findings from this research can aid in improving existing techniques to detect Lyme disease effectively and rapidly among different species, thus enabling timely intervention and treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Fikrig E, Magnarelli LA, Chen M, Anderson JF, Flavell RA. (1993). Serologic analysis of dogs, horses, and cottontail rabbits for antibodies to an antigenic flagellar epitope of Borrelia burgdorferi. J Clin Microbiol, 31(9), 2451-2455. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.31.9.2451-2455.1993

Publication

Journal of clinical microbiology
ISSN: 0095-1137
NlmUniqueID: 7505564
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 9
Pages: 2451-2455

Researcher Affiliations

Fikrig, E
  • Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
Magnarelli, L A
    Chen, M
      Anderson, J F
        Flavell, R A

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
          • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / immunology
          • Dogs / immunology
          • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
          • Epitopes
          • Flagellin / immunology
          • Horses / immunology
          • Immunoblotting
          • Rabbits / immunology
          • Recombinant Proteins / immunology

          Grant Funding

          • AI-3054 / NIAID NIH HHS
          • CCU-106581 / PHS HHS

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 2 times.
          1. Magnarelli LA, Norris SJ, Fikrig E. Serum antibodies to whole-cell and recombinant antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi in cottontail rabbits. J Wildl Dis 2012 Jan;48(1):12-20.
            doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.12pubmed: 22247369google scholar: lookup
          2. Magnarelli LA, Flavell RA, Padula SJ, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. Serologic diagnosis of canine and equine borreliosis: use of recombinant antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. J Clin Microbiol 1997 Jan;35(1):169-73.
            doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.1.169-173.1997pubmed: 8968901google scholar: lookup
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