FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Seroprevalence and evaluation of risk factors associated wit...
Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(2); 331-338; doi: 10.1111/evj.13317

Seroprevalence and evaluation of risk factors associated with seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi in Ontario horses.

Abstract: Recently, the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which is the vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, has undergone a range expansion from the northeastern and mid-west United States to areas of southeastern Canada, including parts of Ontario. Understanding the seroprevalence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi in horses and risk factors for exposure is important for monitoring and preventing this emerging disease. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 551 horses in southern, central, and eastern Ontario, Canada. Objective: To assess the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi in horses in Ontario, Canada; to evaluate risk factors associated with seropositivity; and, to compare the performance of two diagnostic tests. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from clinically healthy horses in Ontario, Canada, along with completed questionnaires that were used for the risk factor analysis. Sera were tested with a Multiplex ELISA (Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University) and C6 ELISA (IDEXX SNAP 4Dx Plus test, IDEXX Laboratories). Results: The seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi on at least one test was 17% (91/551), though only 15 (16%) horses tested positive with both tests. A spatial cluster of cases was detected in Eastern Ontario. The odds of being seropositive for B. burgdorferi on the C6 ELISA were significantly increased when oak trees were present by pastures (OR = 7.3 (1.8-29.2), P = .005), while the odds were significantly decreased when regular tick checks were performed (OR = 0.1 (0.01-0.7), P = 0.02). Conclusions: Recruitment focused on known areas with blacklegged ticks as well as areas of higher horse density, which may have led to selection bias. Conclusions: The expansion of blacklegged tick populations poses an ongoing risk for horses. Assessment of diagnostic testing options and risk factors is important for diagnosis and prevention, and with further investigation this information may be used to propose changes in management.
© 2020 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-07-29 PubMed ID: 33566387DOI: 10.1111/evj.13317Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 studies the prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria causing Lyme disease) in horses in Ontario, Canada, and analyzes the risk factors for a horse getting the disease. It also compares the efficacy of two diagnostic tests.

Research Details

  • The study was done with a sample group of 551 horses from different regions of Ontario, Canada. This sample represents horses that were clinically healthy.
  • Serum samples were drawn from these horses and subjected to two different types of ELISA tests – a Multiplex ELISA test and the C6 ELISA test. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a popular test that detects and measures antibodies in blood and other fluids.
  • Along with the serum samples, questionnaires were also collected from each case for a risk factor analysis. This included information like the presence of oak trees near the pastures and the frequency of tick checks performed on the horses.

Research Findings

  • The seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi (meaning the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured in blood serum) in the studied group, as tested by at least one of the ELISA tests, was found to be 17%. However, only 16% of these seropositive cases were declared positive by both tests. This shows discrepancies in the testing methods.
  • Certain geographic patterns in the disease prevalence were observed, with a cluster of positive cases detected in Eastern Ontario.
  • The probability of a horse being seropositive on the C6 ELISA were found to be higher when oak trees were present close to their pastures while the odds decreased when regular tick checks were carried out.

Conclusions

  • The researchers voiced a concern over potential selection bias in their study as the selection of horses was done based on regions with known blacklegged tick populations and horse density.
  • They also highlighted that the expansion of blacklegged tick populations pose a rising risk for horses and that there is a need for better diagnostic tests and risk factor analyses for the early detection and prevention.
  • It is also suggested that the data may be helpful to propose changes in the management and care of the equine population.

Cite This Article

APA
Neely M, Arroyo LG, Jardine C, Moore A, Hazlett M, Clow K, Archer H, Weese JS. (2020). Seroprevalence and evaluation of risk factors associated with seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi in Ontario horses. Equine Vet J, 53(2), 331-338. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13317

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 2
Pages: 331-338

Researcher Affiliations

Neely, Megan
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Jardine, Claire
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Moore, Alison
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Hazlett, Murray
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Clow, Katie
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Archer, Holly
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
Weese, J Scott
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum
  • Animals
  • Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Lyme Disease / epidemiology
  • Lyme Disease / veterinary
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Grant Funding

  • Ontario Animal Health Network
  • Equine Guelph

References

This article includes 33 references
  1. Ogden NH, Bigras‐Poulin M, O'Callaghan CJ, Barker IK, Lindsay LR, Maarouf A. A dynamic population model to investigate effects of climate on geographic range and seasonality of the tick Ixodes scapularis. Int J Parasitol 2005;35:375–89.
  2. Clow KM, Leighton PA, Ogden NH, Lindsay LR, Michel P, Pearl DL. Northward range expansion of Ixodes scapularis evident over a short timescale in Ontario, Canada. PLoS One 2017;12(12):e0189393.
  3. Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Ontario lyme disease estimated risk areas map. 2016 [cited 2017 Jun 15].
  4. Clow KM, Ogden NH, Lindsay LR, Michel P, Pearl DL, Jardine CM. Distribution of ticks and the risk of lyme disease and other tick‐borne pathogens of public health significance in Ontario, Canada. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016;16:215–22.
  5. Burgdorfer W, Barbour A, Hayes S, Benach J, Grunwaldt E, Davis J. Lyme disease‐a tick‐borne spirochetosis?. Science 1982;216:1317–9.
  6. Clow KM, Ogden NH, Lindsay LR, Michel P, Pearl DL, Jardine CM. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the invasion of Ixodes scapularis in Ontario, Canada. Ticks Tick‐Borne Dis 2017;8(4):554–63.
  7. Werden L, Lindsay LR, Barker IK, Bowman J, Gonzales EK, Jardine CM. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in Ixodes scapularis from a newly established Lyme disease endemic area, the Thousand Islands Region of Ontario, Canada. Vector‐Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015;15:627–9.
  8. Nelder MP, Russell C, Lindsay LR, Dhar B, Patel SN, Johnson S. Population‐based passive tick surveillance and detection of expanding foci of blacklegged ticks Ixodes scapularis and the Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi in Ontario, Canada. PLoS One 2014;9:e105358.
  9. Watson TG, Anderson RC. Ixodes scapularis Say on white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Long Point, Ontario. J Wildl Dis 1976;12:66–71.
  10. Barker IK, Surgeoner GA, Artsob H, McEwen SA, Elliott LA, Campbell GD. Distribution of the Lyme disease vector, Ixodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae) and isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi in Ontario, Canada. J Med Entomol 1992;29:1011–22.
  11. Madigan JE. Equine ehrlichiosis. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1993;9:423–8.
  12. Divers TJ, Gardner RB, Madigan JE, Witonsky SG, Bertone JJ, Swinebroad EL. Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme disease in North American horses: a consensus statement. J Vet Intern Med 2018;32:617–32.
  13. Kowalski TJ, Tata S, Berth W, Mathiason MA, Agger WA. Antibiotic treatment duration and long‐term outcomes of patients with early Lyme disease from a Lyme disease–hyperendemic area. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50:512–20.
  14. Cohen ND, Heck FC, Heim B, Flad DM, Bosler EM, Cohen D. Seroprevalence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in a population of horses in central Texas. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992;201:1030–4.
  15. Funk RA, Pleasant RS, Witonsky SG, Reeder DS, Werre SR, Hodgson DR. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in horses presented for coggins testing in Southwest Virginia and change in positive test results approximately 1 year later. J Vet Intern Med 2016;30:1300–4.
  16. Magnarelli LA, Ijdo JW, Andel AE, Wu C, Padula SJ, Fikrig E. Serologic confirmation of Ehrlichia equi and Borrelia burgdorferi infections in horses from the northeastern United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217(7):1045–50.
  17. Metcalf KB, Lilley CS, Revenaugh MS, Glaser AL, Metcalf ES. The prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi found in horses residing in the Northwestern United States. J Equine Vet Sci 2008;28:587–9.
  18. Wright B. Economic impact of the Ontario Horse Industry. OMAFRA 2008;562:2–6.
  19. IDEXX Laboratories. SNAP 4Dx Plus Test: Test accuracy. 2016 [cited 2018 Jan 23].
  20. Chandrashekar R, Daniluk D, Moffitt S, Lorentzen L, Williams J. Serologic diagnosis of equine borreliosis: Evaluation of an in‐clinic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (SNAP (R) 4Dx (R)). Int J Appl Res Vet M 2008;6(3):145–50.
  21. University C. Lyme disease multiplex testing for horses. AHDC 2014 [cited 2016 Dec 10].
  22. Wagner B, Freer H, Rollins A, Erb HN, Lu Z, Gröhn Y. Development of a multiplex assay for the detection of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in horses and its validation using Bayesian and conventional statistical methods. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2011;144:374–81.
  23. Wagner B, Freer H, Rollins A, Garcia‐Tapia D, Erb HN, Earnhart C. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi OspA, OspC, OspF, and C6 antigens as markers for early and late infection in dogs. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2012;19(4):527–35.
  24. Dohoo I, Martin W, Stryhn H. Veterinary epidemiologic research. 2nd ed. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: VER Inc.; 2009.
  25. Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 1977;33(1):159–74.
  26. Wagner B, Goodman LB, Rollins A, Freer HS. Antibodies to OspC, OspF and C6 antigens as indicators for infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in horses. Equine Vet J 2013;45:533–7.
  27. Schvartz G, Epp T, Burgess HJ, Chilton NB, Lohmann KL. Comparison between available serologic tests for detecting antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi in horses in Canada. J Vet Diagn Invest 2015;27:540–6.
  28. Ostfeld RS, Schauber EM, Canham CD, Keesing F, Jones CG, Wolff JO. Effects of acorn production and mouse abundance on abundance and Borrelia burgdorferi infection prevalence of nymphal Ixodes scapularis ticks. Vector‐Borne Zoonotic Dis 2001;1:55–63.
  29. Ostfeld RS, Canham CD, Oggenfuss K, Winchcombe RJ, Keesing F. Climate, deer, rodents, and acorns as determinants of variation in Lyme‐disease risk. PLoS Biol 2006;4:1058–68.
  30. Carroll JF. Occurrence of larval Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) on tree trunks. J Med Entomol 1996;33(6):971–5.
  31. Carey AB, Krinsky WL, Main AJ. Ixodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae) and associated ixodid ticks in south‐central Connecticut, U.S.A.. J Med Entomol 1980;17:89–99.
  32. City of Hamilton, Ticks Database. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long‐Term Care, integrated Public Health Information System database (iPHIS). https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/ServicesAndTools/SurveillanceServices/Pages/Vector‐Borne‐Disease‐Surveillance‐Reports.aspx. Accessed September 18, 2015
  33. Piesman J, Mather TN, Sinsky RJ, Spielman A. Duration of tick attachment and Borrelia burgdorferi transmission. J Clin Microbiol 1987;25:557–8.

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Nichol GK, Weese JS, Clow KM. Isolation and multilocus sequence typing of Borrelia burgdorferi from Ixodes scapularis collected from dogs in Ontario, Canada.. BMC Res Notes 2023 Mar 30;16(1):43.
    doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06315-0pubmed: 36997986google scholar: lookup
  2. Sundstrom KD, Lineberry MW, Grant AN, Duncan KT, Ientile MM, Little SE. Equine attachment site preferences and seasonality of common North American ticks: Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor albipictus, and Ixodes scapularis.. Parasit Vectors 2021 Aug 14;14(1):404.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04927-8pubmed: 34391460google scholar: lookup
  3. Neely M, Arroyo L, Jardine C, Clow K, Moore A, Hazlett M, Weese JS. Evaluation of 2 ELISAs to determine Borrelia burgdorferi seropositivity in horses over a 12-month period.. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Jul;33(4):736-739.
    doi: 10.1177/10406387211016103pubmed: 34041969google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.