Work

Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies Against Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Virus in Horses in Southern Norway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ixodes ricinus ticks play a crucial role as carriers of diseases, transmitting pathogens to vertebrate hosts, including horses. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of IgG-antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE-virus) in equine sera collected in southern Norway. In total, sera from 331 horses stabled in four counties (Agder, Vestfold & Telemark, Vestland, and Viken) were analyzed by immunoblot. In total, 66 % of the horses were IgG seropositive for antibodies against one or multiple tick-borne pathogens. The highest seroprevalence was detected against B. burgdorferi s. l. (47 %), followed by A. phagocytophilum (34 %) and TBE-virus (10 %). A significant difference between the counties regarding IgG-antibodies against A. phagocytophilum was found, with the highest seroprevalence in horses stabled in coastal areas of Agder and Vestland. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that horses in southern Norway are at a high risk of contracting tick-borne infections.

Source: Microorganisms

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13040771

Authors: Hanne Kloster, Camilla Stormo, Anita Haug Haaland, Snorre Stuen, Vivian Kjelland

Institutions: University of Agder, Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Vector-borne infectious diseases

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258