Antibodies to Borrelia turicatae in Experimentally Infected Dogs Cross-React with Borrelia burgdorferi Serologic Assays [Immunoassays]

In this study, B. burgdorferi-negative dogs were inoculated with B. turicatae, and seroconversion was confirmed by the rBipA (recombinant Borrelia immunogenic protein A) Western blot. Seropositive samples were tested with commercial and veterinary diagnostic laboratory B. burgdorferi-based tests. Borrelia turicatae-seroreactive samples cross-reacted with a whole-cell indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and two multiantigen tests, but not with single-antigen tests using C6. Cross-reactivity with TBRF can confound epidemiology and surveillance efforts and confuse recommendations made by veterinarians for prevention and control. These findings demonstrate the need to critically evaluate results from B. burgdorferi diagnostic tests in the context of the assay type and the animal’s geographical location and history of travel, as well as highlighting the need for commercially available specific diagnostic tests for TBRF spirochetes.

Source: Journal of Clinical Microbiology - August 25, 2019 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gettings, J. R., Lopez, J. E., Krishnavahjala, A., Armstrong, B. A., Thompson, A. T., Yabsley, M. J. Tags: Immunoassays Source Type: research