|
|
Discussion on Research Summary: In-clinic test for Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) infection in horses
|
| Author |
Message |
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008 - 11:01 am:
Here is a report on a available in-clinic test for recent Lyme disease exposure in horses.
DrO
J Vet Diagn Invest. 2008 May;20(3):321-4.
Validation of an in-clinic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in horses.
Johnson AL, Divers TJ, Chang YF.
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. aljdvm03@gmail.com.
Confirmation of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in horses has required enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or Western blot tests performed by reference laboratories. An in-clinic C(6) ELISA SNAP kit has been marketed for dogs. This canine kit was evaluated for horses using serum from experimentally infected ponies. Serum samples originated from 2 previous studies. In the first study, 7 ponies were exposed to B. burgdorferi-infected ticks; 4 ponies served as uninfected controls. Serum samples were obtained bimonthly for 9 months. In the second study, 16 ponies were exposed to B. burgdorferi-infected ticks. After confirmation of infection by skin culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serology, the ponies were allocated to 4 groups that received tetracycline, doxycycline, ceftiofur, or no treatment. Serum samples were obtained monthly, both before and after antibiotic treatments, for 11 months. For the current study, selected samples (n = 220) from both studies were tested with IDEXX SNAP Heartworm Ab/Borrelia burgdorferi Ab/Ehrlichia canis Ab Test Kits. Tested samples included samples taken before infection, from various times postinfection, and after antibiotic treatments. Results from confirmed positive or negative samples were used to determine sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Results indicate that the test kits have fair sensitivity (63%) and very high specificity (100%) for horses recently infected with B. burgdorferi. Validation of this test provides equine practitioners with an inexpensive, in-clinic method to confirm infection, although its moderate sensitivity may result in a moderate chance of a false negative test.
|
|
|
