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Home / Equine Research Bank / Ann Agric Environ Med / Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi s...
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM2012; 19(2); 237-240;

Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Italian horses.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy horses living in 7 provinces of central Italy. In the period 2007-2009, sera from 386 horses were tested by microagglutination test (MAT) to detect antibodies to Leptospira spp., employing the following serovars as antigens: Bratislava, Ballum, Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Pomona, Tarassovi. 3 animals were positive for the serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, 2 to Bratislava, and 1 to Pomona, for a total 1.5% seroprevalence. All sera were examined by immunofluorence antibody test (IFAT) to reveal anti-B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies. 94 (24.3%) horses were positive with antibody titres ranging from 1:64 to 1:1,024. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in >10 year-old horses compared to younger subjects. No significant differences in the mean seroprevalence were observed in the respective years. The total mean seroprevalence were strictly related to the environmental conditions of the areas in which the horses lived. No cross-reactions between Leptospira and Borrelia were observed. This is the first serological survey on antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. in Italian horses.
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Publication Date: 2012-06-30 PubMed ID: 22742794
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  • 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 paper is about the investigation into the prevalence of particular bacteria, Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, in the horse population of central Italy. The researchers found minor occurrence of Leptospira and significantly higher prevalence of B. burgdorferi antibodies, with older horses showing greater rates.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aimed to determine the seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured in blood serum) of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in horses from central Italy. These bacteria can cause various diseases in horses.

Methodology Used

  • The study was conducted between 2007 and 2009 and involved testing the sera (a component of blood) of 386 horses.
  • The samples were tested using a Microagglutination Test (MAT) to detect antibodies for Leptospira spp.
  • Eight different types of Leptospira, known as serovars, were used as antigens in this test.
  • All sera were also tested with an Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) to detect antibodies for B. burgdorferi s.l.

Results of the Study

  • Results showed a 1.5% seroprevalence for Leptospira, with specific positive results for three of the serovars: Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, and Pomona.
  • The detection of B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies was much higher, at 24.3%. The titer (concentration) of these antibodies ranged from 1:64 to 1:1,024, depending on the horse.
  • It was noted that horses aged over ten had a significantly higher seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies compared to younger horses.
  • No significant differences were observed in the mean seroprevalence across the years of the study.
  • The prevalence of these antibodies seemed to be linked to environmental conditions, hinting at potential factors like climate, water sources and wildlife that may influence bacterial transference.

Conclusion

  • The study did not find any cross-reactions between Leptospira and Borrelia, meaning the presence of one did not significantly influence the presence or detection of the other.
  • This was the first research of its type investigating antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. in the Italian horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Ebani VV, Bertelloni F, Pinzauti P, Cerri D. (2012). Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Italian horses. Ann Agric Environ Med, 19(2), 237-240.

Publication

Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM
ISSN: 1898-2263
NlmUniqueID: 9500166
Country: Poland
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Pages: 237-240

Researcher Affiliations

Ebani, Valentina V
  • Department of Animal Pathology, Prophylaxis and Food Hygiene. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. vebani@vet.unipi.it
Bertelloni, Fabrizio
    Pinzauti, Paolo
      Cerri, Domenico

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
        • Animals
        • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
        • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / immunology
        • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / isolation & purification
        • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / blood
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / microbiology
        • Horses
        • Incidence
        • Italy
        • Leptospira / immunology
        • Leptospira / isolation & purification
        • Leptospirosis / blood
        • Leptospirosis / epidemiology
        • Leptospirosis / microbiology
        • Leptospirosis / veterinary
        • Lyme Disease / blood
        • Lyme Disease / epidemiology
        • Lyme Disease / microbiology
        • Lyme Disease / veterinary
        • Prevalence
        • Seasons
        • Seroepidemiologic Studies

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        This article has been cited 24 times.
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