FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Horses Presented f...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2016; 30(4); 1300-1304; doi: 10.1111/jvim.13973

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Horses Presented for Coggins Testing in Southwest Virginia and Change in Positive Test Results Approximately 1 Year Later.

Abstract: Lyme disease can affect people, dogs, and horses, but it remains poorly understood, especially in the horse. Determining the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in horses in different geographic areas will enable better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease, thus improving diagnosis and treatment of affected animals. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi in horses in southwest Virginia. Methods: Horses presented for routine Coggins testing from January 2013 to January 2014 had additional blood drawn for Lyme Multiplex Assay testing. Methods: Of 492 samples collected, 250 samples were analyzed using the Lyme Multiplex Assay. Of the 83 horses that had positive test results to at least 1 outer surface protein (Osp), 63 were available for follow-up testing 5-17 months later (June 2014). Results: Thirty-three percent of horses had positive results for antibodies to at least 1 Osp. Horses with a positive outer surface protein F (OspF) result were older (14.5 ± 0.79) than horses with a negative OspF result (11.6 ± 0.53). Of the horses available for follow-up testing, 63% had the same result as that of the initial test. There was no difference in test result between initial and follow-up testing. Conclusions: Horses seropositive to B. burgdorferi are common in Virginia, and older horses are more likely to have a positive test result for OspF than younger horses. Follow-up testing indicated that the majority of horses that were positive on initial testing did not have a different test result 5-17 months later.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-05-23 PubMed ID: 27214745PubMed Central: PMC5089602DOI: 10.1111/jvim.13973Google 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.

This research study aims to understand the prevalence of Lyme disease-causing bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, in horses in Southwest Virginia and compare this prevalence after approximately one year. The study uncovered that older horses were more likely to test positive for one of the proteins produced by the bacteria, and that a significant proportion of horses tested maintained their disease status even after one year.

Objective

The objective of the study was to gauge the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, which is a bacterium that leads to Lyme disease, in horses located in the southwestern part of Virginia. Seroprevalence refers to the level of individuals in a population who test positive for a specific disease based on serum (blood) markers. This would aid in enhancing the comprehension of disease’s widespread, supporting improved diagnosis and treatment of afflicted animals.

Methods

  • The method adopted for the research was blood testing of the horses who were presented for regular Coggins testing, a test to diagnose Equine Infectious Anemia, over a period of one year from January 2013 to January 2014.
  • Out of 492 samples collected, 250 were analysed further using the Lyme Multiplex Assay testing. This testing technique uses multiple markers to detect the presence of antibodies produced by the host (in this case, horses) in response to the Lyme disease-causing bacteria.
  • Among the 83 horses that resulted positive to at least one outer surface protein (Osp), which is proteins produced by the bacteria, 63 were subjected to follow-up testing after 5-17 months.

Results

  • The research showed that 33% of horses exhibited positive results for antibodies to at least one outer surface protein (Osp). These Osps are the proteins against which the host’s immune system generates antibodies.
  • It was observed that horses with a positive outer surface protein F (OspF) result were older (average age of 14.5 years) as compared to horses with a negative result (average age of 11.6 years).
  • In the follow-up testing performed 5-17 months later, 63% of horses displayed the same result as that of the initial test indicating a persistence of the disease.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that horses seropositive to Borrelia burgdorferi are commonplace in Virginia. The term ‘seropositive’ means the presence of antibodies in the blood serum, indicating a past or present infection.
  • Older horses have been found to bear a higher likelihood of a positive test result for OspF than younger counterparts.
  • Follow-up testing disclosed that more than half of horses that resulted positive in the initial test did not exhibit a different result about a year later.

Cite This Article

APA
Funk RA, Pleasant RS, Witonsky SG, Reeder DS, Werre SR, Hodgson DR. (2016). 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, 30(4), 1300-1304. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.13973

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 4
Pages: 1300-1304

Researcher Affiliations

Funk, R A
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
Pleasant, R S
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
Witonsky, S G
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
Reeder, D S
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
Werre, S R
  • Laboratory for Study Design and Statistical Analysis, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.
Hodgson, D R
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Borrelia burgdorferi
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Lyme Disease / blood
  • Lyme Disease / drug therapy
  • Lyme Disease / epidemiology
  • Lyme Disease / veterinary
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Virginia / epidemiology

References

This article includes 23 references
  1. Butler CM, Houwers DJ, Jongejan F, van der Kolk JH. Borrelia burgdorferi infections with special reference to horses. A review.. Vet Q 2005 Dec;27(4):146-56.
    pubmed: 16402512
  2. Magnarelli LA, Anderson JF, Shaw E, Post JE, Palka FC. Borreliosis in equids in northeastern United States.. Am J Vet Res 1988 Mar;49(3):359-62.
    pubmed: 3282461
  3. Magnarelli LA, Anderson JF. Class-specific and polyvalent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in equids.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1989 Nov 15;195(10):1365-8.
    pubmed: 2684937
  4. Magnarelli LA, Ijdo JW, Van 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 Oct 1;217(7):1045-50.
    pubmed: 11019714doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.1045google scholar: lookup
  5. Marcus LC, Patterson MM, Gilfillan RE, Urband PH. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in New England horses: serologic survey.. Am J Vet Res 1985 Dec;46(12):2570-1.
    pubmed: 4083595
  6. Ebani VV, Bertelloni F, Pinzauti P, Cerri D. Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Italian horses.. Ann Agric Environ Med 2012;19(2):237-40.
    pubmed: 22742794
  7. Laus F, Veronesi F, Passamonti F, Paggi E, Cerquetella M, Hyatt D, Tesei B, Fioretti DP. Prevalence of tick borne pathogens in horses from Italy.. J Vet Med Sci 2013;75(6):715-20.
    pubmed: 23328633doi: 10.1292/jvms.12-0449google scholar: lookup
  8. Maurizi L, Marié JL, Aoun O, Courtin C, Gorsane S, Chal D, Davoust B. Seroprevalence survey of equine Lyme borreliosis in France and in sub-Saharan Africa.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010 Jun;10(5):535-7.
    pubmed: 19877821doi: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0083google scholar: lookup
  9. Veronesi F, Laus F, Passamonti F, Tesei B, Piergili Fioretti D, Genchi C. Occurrence of Borrelia lusitaniae infection in horses.. Vet Microbiol 2012 Dec 7;160(3-4):535-8.
    pubmed: 22789679doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.06.029google scholar: lookup
  10. Hansen MG, Christoffersen M, Thuesen LR, Petersen MR, Bojesen AM. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Danish horses.. Acta Vet Scand 2010 Jan 18;52(1):3.
    pmc: PMC2818635pubmed: 20082693doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-3google scholar: lookup
  11. Kiss T, Cadar D, Krupaci AF, Bordeanu A, Brudaşcă GF, Mihalca AD, Mircean V, Gliga L, Dumitrache MO, Spînu M. Serological reactivity to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs and horses from distinct areas in Romania.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011 Sep;11(9):1259-62.
    pubmed: 21612524doi: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0254google scholar: lookup
  12. Eisen RJ, Eisen L, Beard CB. County-Scale Distribution of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Continental United States.. J Med Entomol 2016 Mar;53(2):349-86.
    pmc: PMC4844559pubmed: 26783367doi: 10.1093/jme/tjv237google scholar: lookup
  13. Herrin BH, Zajac AM, Little SE. Confirmation of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes scapularis, Southwestern Virginia.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014 Nov;14(11):821-3.
    pubmed: 25409274doi: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1661google scholar: lookup
  14. nReported cases of Lyme disease by state or locality, 2004–2013†; (August 27, 2014–last update) Center for disease control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/chartstables/reportedcases_statelocality.html. Accessed February 24, 2015
  15. nLevine MJ, State Health Commissionern. (June 20, 2014). Resources for health care professionals, Lyme disease. Available at: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/clinicians/index.htm. Accessed August 26, 2015.
  16. 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 Dec 15;144(3-4):374-81.
    pubmed: 21890217doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.08.005google scholar: lookup
  17. Carmichael RC, Duell JR, Holbrook TC, Herrin BH, Leutenegger CM, O'Connor TP, Little SE. Antibodies reactive to Ehrlichia spp. are common in Oklahoma horses.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014 Aug;14(8):552-6.
    pubmed: 25072984doi: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1570google scholar: lookup
  18. Wagner B, Freer H, Rollins A, Garcia-Tapia D, Erb HN, Earnhart C, Marconi R, Meeus P. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi OspA, OspC, OspF, and C6 antigens as markers for early and late infection in dogs.. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2012 Apr;19(4):527-35.
    pmc: PMC3318275pubmed: 22336289doi: 10.1128/cvi.05653-11google scholar: lookup
  19. nCornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Centern. (Feb 2014). Lyme disease multiplex testing for horses. Available at: http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/Lyme_Disease_Multiplex_Testing_for_Horses.pdf. Accessed December 15, 2015.
  20. nCornell University College of Veterinary Medicine College Newsn. (June 2013). Lyme disease multiplex Q & A with Dr. Bettina Wagner. Available at: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/news/lymefaq.cfm. Accessed February 17, 2016.
  21. Akin E, McHugh GL, Flavell RA, Fikrig E, Steere AC. The immunoglobulin (IgG) antibody response to OspA and OspB correlates with severe and prolonged Lyme arthritis and the IgG response to P35 correlates with mild and brief arthritis.. Infect Immun 1999 Jan;67(1):173-81.
    pmc: PMC96293pubmed: 9864212doi: 10.1128/iai.67.1.173-181.1999google scholar: lookup
  22. Divers TJ, Grice AL, Mohammed HO, Glaser AL, Wagner B. Changes in Borrelia burgdorferi ELISA antibody over time in both antibiotic treated and untreated horses.. Acta Vet Hung 2012 Dec;60(4):421-9.
    pubmed: 23160024doi: 10.1556/avet.2012.036google scholar: lookup
  23. nAnimal Health and Emergency Servicesn; Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Available at: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/eia.shtml. Accessed August 26, 2015.

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
  1. Doff SC, Wenderlein J, Wiesinger A, Hiereth S, Ulrich S, Straubinger RK. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu-Lato-Specific Antibodies in Sera of Canine and Equine Origin-A Comparative Study with Two Line Immunoassays. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 14;9(11).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9110633pubmed: 36423082google scholar: lookup
  2. Guarino C, Pinn-Woodcock T, Levine DG, Miller J, Johnson AL. Case Report: Nuchal Bursitis Associated With Borrelia burgdorferi Infection in a Horse. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:743067.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.743067pubmed: 34631864google 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
  4. Costa SCL, de Souza Freitas J, Carvalho FS, Pereira MJS, Cordeiro MD, da Fonseca AH, Gomes Jusi MM, Machado RZ, Munhoz AD. Frequency and factors associated of potential zoonotic pathogens (Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Leishmania spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum) in equids in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2021 May 22;14(1):275.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04777-4pubmed: 34022939google scholar: lookup
  5. Izac JR, Camire AC, Earnhart CG, Embers ME, Funk RA, Breitschwerdt EB, Marconi RT. Analysis of the antigenic determinants of the OspC protein of the Lyme disease spirochetes: Evidence that the C10 motif is not immunodominant or required to elicit bactericidal antibody responses. Vaccine 2019 Apr 17;37(17):2401-2407.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.007pubmed: 30922701google scholar: lookup
  6. Divers TJ, Gardner RB, Madigan JE, Witonsky SG, Bertone JJ, Swinebroad EL, Schutzer SE, Johnson AL. Borrelia burgdorferi Infection and Lyme Disease in North American Horses: A Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Mar;32(2):617-632.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15042pubmed: 29469222google scholar: lookup
  7. Johnson AL, Johnstone LK, Stefanovski D. Cerebrospinal fluid Lyme multiplex assay results are not diagnostic in horses with neuroborreliosis. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Mar;32(2):832-838.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15067pubmed: 29460492google scholar: lookup
  8. Caol S, Divers T, Crisman M, Chang YF. In vitro susceptibility of Borrelia burgdorferi isolates to three antibiotics commonly used for treating equine Lyme disease. BMC Vet Res 2017 Sep 29;13(1):293.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1212-3pubmed: 28962614google scholar: lookup
  9. Izac JR, Oliver LD Jr, Earnhart CG, Marconi RT. Identification of a defined linear epitope in the OspA protein of the Lyme disease spirochetes that elicits bactericidal antibody responses: Implications for vaccine development. Vaccine 2017 May 31;35(24):3178-3185.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.079pubmed: 28479174google scholar: lookup
  10. Pinn-Woodcock TL, Aprea MS, Lejeune M, Tomlinson JE. Molecular detection of pathogens in an equine fever diagnostic panel: 2019-2023. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):486-496.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14527pubmed: 40384355google scholar: lookup
  11. 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
  12. 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
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.