Seroprevalence survey of equine Lyme borreliosis in France and in sub-Saharan Africa.

This research investigates the extent of equine Lyme disease in metropolitan France, French Guiana, and Africa (Chad, Djibouti, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Congo) by testing blood samples from 570 horses. Lyme disease antibodies were only found in horses in France.

About the Study

• This research presents the results of an investigation to determine the prevalence of equine Lyme borreliosis in metropolitan France, French Guiana, and certain African countries. The purpose was to pinpoint the areas where the disease is endemic, thus, filling in the gap in epidemiological knowledge.
• Borreliosis, commonly known as Lyme disease, is an infectious condition caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. In this study, the focus was specifically on equine Lyme disease, which affects horses.
• Significantly, Lyme disease in horses can cause a variety of health issues such as lameness, joint stiffness, muscle tenderness, and behavioural changes. The disease is transmitted via infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, and is most prevalent in certain geographical regions.

Methodology

• The research team collected blood samples from a total of 570 horses from metropolitan France, French Guiana, and several sub-Saharan African countries including Chad, Djibouti, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• All collected samples were tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi – the causative agent of Lyme disease. This was carried out using a commercial ELISA Dot-Blot method, known as SNAP 4 Dx, developed by IDEXX S. Laboratory.

Findings and Conclusion

• The results of this survey showed that Lyme disease was found only in the horse population of metropolitan France. More specifically, it was identified in the eastern and center-western regions of the country with an occurrence rate of 48% and 31% respectively.
• Surprisingly, no evidence of Lyme disease antibodies were detected in the samples taken from horses in French Guiana or any of the surveyed African countries. This suggests that the geographical distribution of Lyme disease in horses correlates with the distribution of the disease’s vectors, in this case, the black-legged ticks.
• This research implies that preventive measures and control strategies should be targeted and prioritized in the identified endemic regions in France to minimize the spread and impact of equine Lyme disease.