Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Danish horses |
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| Authors: | Marie GB Hansen Mette Christoffersen Line R Thuesen Morten R Petersen Anders M Bojesen |
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| Institution: | 1.Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark;2.Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are able to infect horses. However, the extend to which Danish horses are infected and seroconvert due to these two bacteria is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum in Danish horses.MethodsA total of 390 blood samples collected from all major regions of Denmark and with a geographical distribution corresponding to the density of the Danish horse population were analyzed. All samples were examined for the presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum by the use of the SNAP®4DX ® ELISA test.ResultsOverall, 29.0% of the horses were seropositive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato whereas 22.3% were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum.ConclusionsAntibodies against B burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum are commonly found among Danish horses thus showing that Danish horses are frequently infected by these organisms. |
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