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Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM2008; 15(1); 37-43;

Serological evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in horses and cattle from Poland and diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis.

Abstract: In the course of epizootological research on Lyme borreliosis in animals, the serological evidence of this zoonosis in horses and cattle from different voivodships of Poland was screened. We also discussed some diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis resulting from, in addition to other factors, genetic and geographical heterogeneity isolates B. burgdorferi s.l. used as antigens. Using ELISA from 395 sera of horses the total mean seroprevalence for anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies 25.6% was observed. In the respective years, significant differences in the mean seroprevalence were not recorded. In the voivodships, the total mean seroprevalence and mean seroprevalence for the respective years varied from 16.6-66.6%. An analysis of seroprevalence depending on the age showed a significant difference between 0-2 year-old horses compared to older horses. The total seroprevalence in the set of 98 serum samples was lower with the strain of B. garinii (25.5%) compared to a mixture of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto with B. afzelii (36.7%) and B. afzelii (42.8%). The highest correlation of findings was reached comparing the strains of B. afzelii (South Poland) and a mixture of B. burgdorferi s. s.+B. afzelii (East Slovakia). Lower correlation was between B. garinii and mixture of B. burgdorferi s. s.+B. afzelii. On the contrary, the lowest correlation of findings was observed between the Slovak strain of B. garinii and Polish B. afzelii. In a group of 26 cow sera, the mean seroprevalence for anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies was 26.9%. In the remaining clinical signs the seroprevalence was 28.5-66.6%. In Western blot, out of 25 examined sera of horses 15 (60.0%) were positive, out of 6 cows 5 (83.3%) were positive (2 lameness, 2 phlebitis, 1 clinically healthy). The horses and cows sera recognised the proteins: 93 (MEP)-, 83-, 75-, 66-, 55-, 43-, 45-, 41 (flagellin)-, 39-, 34-, 35 (OspB) and 25-, 28 (OspC)-kDa. These results alert veterinarians to take into account the aetiology of Lyme disease in differential diagnoses.
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Publication Date: 2008-06-28 PubMed ID: 18581977
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  • Journal Article
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  • 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 study examines the presence of Lyme borreliosis, a tick-borne bacterial infection, in horses and cattle in various regions of Poland, revealing a noticeable prevalence and raising the need for accurate diagnosis.

Research Overview

  • The study focuses on Lyme borreliosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through ticks in animals, especially horses and cattle.
  • The researchers primarily aimed to identify the level of this disease in different voivodships (administrative divisions) in Poland, using a diagnostic process referred to as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to inspect a total of 395 sera of horses.
  • They also analysed problems in diagnosing Lyme borreliosis arising from factors like geographical and genetic heterogeneity isolates of B. burgdorferi used as antigens.

Findings

  • The study found that the average presence of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies — an indication of the disease — in tested horses was 25.6%.
  • No significant differences were recorded in the mean prevalence over respective years, however, the total mean prevalence varied from 16.6% to 66.6% across different voivodships.
  • Horses aged 0-2 years showed a significantly lower prevalence compared to older horses.
  • The research also indicated that the presence of antibodies varied according to the strain of Borrelia. It was lower with B. garinii strain (25.5%) compared to a mixture of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto with B. afzelii (36.7%), and B. afzelii alone (42.8%).
  • The highest correlation of findings was found between the strains of B. afzelii (South Poland) and a mixture of B. burgdorferi s. s. and B. afzelii (East Slovakia).
  • Among the group of 26 cow sera tested, the mean presence of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies was 26.9%. The seroprevalence varied between 28.5%-66.6% depending on the clinical signs detected.
  • Western Blot testing revealed 60.0% positive results in 25 examined horse sera and 83.3% in 6 cow sera.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study’s findings signal a high prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in horses and cattle in Poland.
  • Given the varying prevalence of different strains of the bacteria, diagnostic processes should consider geographic and genetic factors.
  • These results underscore the importance for veterinarians to consider Lyme disease in their differential diagnoses.

Cite This Article

APA
Stefanciková A, Adaszek Ł, Pet'ko B, Winiarczyk S, Dudinák V. (2008). Serological evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in horses and cattle from Poland and diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis. Ann Agric Environ Med, 15(1), 37-43.

Publication

Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM
ISSN: 1232-1966
NlmUniqueID: 9500166
Country: Poland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 37-43

Researcher Affiliations

Stefanciková, Astéria
  • Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Kosice, Slovak Republic. astefan@saske.sk
Adaszek, Łukasz
    Pet'ko, Branislav
      Winiarczyk, Stanisław
        Dudinák, Vladimír

          MeSH Terms

          • Age Factors
          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
          • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / immunology
          • Cattle
          • Cattle Diseases / diagnosis
          • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
          • Cattle Diseases / transmission
          • Diagnosis, Differential
          • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
          • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / transmission
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Lyme Disease / diagnosis
          • Lyme Disease / epidemiology
          • Lyme Disease / transmission
          • Lyme Disease / veterinary
          • Male
          • Poland / epidemiology
          • Seroepidemiologic Studies
          • Zoonoses

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
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