Title: Detection of antibodies against Borrelia afzelii spirochete in stallions from Kocevje region

Authors: Maja Turk, Igor Gruntar, Brane Krt, Tadej Malovrh, Peter Kruljc

Addresses: Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of the Republic of Slovenia, Regulatory Sector for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices for Veterinary Use, Ptujska ulica 21, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Veterinary Faculty, Virology Laboratory, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, Slovenia. ' Veterinary Faculty, Clinic for Reproduction and Horses, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract: In the period February 2000–August 2001, sera from horses from the Dolnja Briga farm, Koeevje, were examined for the presence of antibodies against Borrelia afzelii (B. afzelii), one of the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis. B. afzelii-specific antibodies in horse sera were detected by an indirect ELISA test. Results obtained from the sera were compared and a significant increase in the percentage of seropositive animals before and after pasturing in the endemic area has been observed.

Keywords: lyme disease; Borrelia infections diagnosis; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; horses; Borrelia afzelii spirochete; stallions; Slovenia; antibodies; Lyme borreliosis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2007.015667

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2007 Vol.31 No.1/2, pp.98 - 106

Published online: 07 Nov 2007 *

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