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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2018; 18(11); 588-594; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2293

Serological Evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia Spp. Infections in Horses from Southeastern Bulgaria.

Abstract: Lyme Borreliosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis are less extensively studied in horses than in dogs and humans. Equine ehrlichiosis is not known in Europe and is in the initial stage of investigation in South, Central, and North America. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of these infections in Bulgaria. A total of 155 horses were investigated from five regions in Southeastern Bulgaria. Horses were tested for Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia spp. antibodies by a commercial rapid ELISA test. B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum antibodies were found in all five regions (Burgas, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, and Kardzhali) at frequencies of 36/155 (23.2%; 95% CI: 16.8-30.7%; ranging by region from 6.4% to 50%) and 31/155 (20%; 95% CI: 14-27.2%; ranging by region from 10% to 30.8%), respectively. Antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. were found in horses from three regions (Burgas, Stara Zagora, and Haskovo) at a rate of 6/155 (3.9%; 95% CI: 1.4-8.2%; ranging by region from 5.7% to 6.4%). The combination of B. burgdorferi/A. phagocytophilum (11/155; 7.1%; 95% CI: 3.6-12.3%) was the most common coexposure observed, followed by B. burgdorferi/Ehrlichia spp. (2/155; 1.3%; 95% CI: 0.2-4.6%) and A. phagocytophilum/Ehrlichia spp. (1/155; 0.6%; 95% CI: 0-3.5%). The study shows that horses in Bulgaria are exposed or coexposed to three tick-transmitted zoonotic bacterial species. Furthermore, it reports Ehrlichia spp. seroreactivity in equines in Europe.
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Publication Date: 2018-07-03 PubMed ID: 29969382DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2293Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 investigates the prevalence of Lyme Borreliosis, granulocytic anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis infections in horses in Southeastern Bulgaria, all of which are less-profitably researched diseases in this species. With a focus on bacterial species transmitted by ticks, the study identifies how widespread these infections are in the studied area.

Methodology and Sample Group

  • Conducting this study required the investigation of 155 horses across five regions in Southeastern Bulgaria – Burgas, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, and Kardzhali.
  • The horses were chosen at random and were not based on any prior assumptions or selection criteria.

Tools and Testing

  • A Commercial rapid ELISA test, known for its effectiveness in testing antibodies, was used on all selected horses.
  • With this test, horses were assessed for antibodies related to Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia spp.

Results and Findings

  • Outcomes revealed the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in all five regions and between ranges of 6.4% to 50% and 10% to 30.8% respectively.
  • In 23.2% of horses, Borrelia burgdorferi was detected, and in 20%, Anaplasma phagocytophilum was identified.
  • Ehrlichia spp. antibodies were less common, identified in only three regions at a total 3.9% rate.
  • Coexposure occurred mostly between Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (7.1%), followed by Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia spp. (1.3%) and then Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia spp. (0.6%).

Significance of the Study

  • The researchers concluded that horses in Bulgaria are susceptible to infections by three tick-transmitted bacterial species.
  • This is the first study to indicate Ehrlichia spp. seroreactivity in horses in Europe, implying a new area of concern for equine health on the continent.

Cite This Article

APA
Tsachev I, Pantchev N, Marutsov P, Petrov V, Gundasheva D, Baymakova M. (2018). Serological Evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia Spp. Infections in Horses from Southeastern Bulgaria. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 18(11), 588-594. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2018.2293

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 11
Pages: 588-594

Researcher Affiliations

Tsachev, Ilia
  • 1 Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria .
Pantchev, Nikola
  • 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, IDEXX Laboratories , Ludwigsburg, Germany .
Marutsov, Plamen
  • 1 Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria .
Petrov, Vladimir
  • 1 Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria .
Gundasheva, Dimitrina
  • 3 Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria .
Baymakova, Magdalena
  • 4 Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy , Sofia, Bulgaria .

MeSH Terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum
  • Anaplasmosis / blood
  • Anaplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Anaplasmosis / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Bulgaria
  • Ehrlichia
  • Ehrlichiosis / blood
  • Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / microbiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Lyme Disease / blood
  • Lyme Disease / epidemiology
  • Lyme Disease / veterinary
  • Male
  • Serologic Tests / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Gospodinova K, Petrov V, Stanilov I, Miteva L, Tsachev I, Baymakova M. First molecular evidence of Anaplasma platys infection in a dog (Labrador retriever) from Bulgaria. Open Vet J 2024 Dec;14(12):3656-3664.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i12.47pubmed: 39927347google scholar: lookup
  2. Ngoc K, Trifonova I, Gladnishka T, Taseva E, Panayotova E, Vladimirova I, Ivanova V, Kuteva E, Christova I. Serological Assessment of Lyme borreliosis in Bulgaria: A Nationwide Study. Pathogens 2024 Sep 2;13(9).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens13090754pubmed: 39338945google scholar: lookup
  3. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/biom13091374pubmed: 37759774google scholar: lookup
  4. 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
  5. Traversa D, Milillo P, Maggi R, Simonato G, Di Cesare A, Pezzuto C, Grillini M, Morelli S, Colombo M, Passarelli A, Grassano A, Serio P, Losurdo M, Brueckmann R. Seroexposure to Zoonotic Anaplasma and Borrelia in Dogs and Horses That Are in Contact with Vulnerable People in Italy. Pathogens 2023 Mar 16;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens12030470pubmed: 36986392google scholar: lookup
  6. Karageorgou I, Koutantou M, Papadogiannaki I, Voulgari-Kokota A, Makka S, Angelakis E. Serological evidence of possible Borrelia afzelii lyme disease in Greece. New Microbes New Infect 2022 Mar;46:100978.
    doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2022.100978pubmed: 35520014google scholar: lookup
  7. Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Allievi C, De Maria C, Persichetti MF, Caracappa G, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Infections in Horses from Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2022 Apr 12;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12080999pubmed: 35454246google scholar: lookup
  8. Bogdan AM, Ionita M, Mitrea IL. Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania. Microorganisms 2021 Feb 12;9(2).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9020373pubmed: 33673353google scholar: lookup
  9. Laamari A, Azzag N, Tennah S, Derdour SY, China B, Bouabdallah 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.
    doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2020-0045pubmed: 32984632google scholar: lookup
  10. Ebani VV. Serological Evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy. Pathogens 2019 Jun 26;8(3).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens8030088pubmed: 31247976google scholar: lookup
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