RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON SEROPREVALENCE OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI IN ELK AND MOOSE IN MINNESOTA

Authors: A. Z. Durrani, S. M. Goyal
Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS)
ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online)
Volume: 21  Issue: 3  Pages: 481-484
Year: 2011
DOI: NA
URL: https://doi.org/NA
Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum

Abstract:
<p>The database of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota, was searched over a ten year period (2001-2010) to determine the seroprevalence of&nbsp;<em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em>&nbsp;(<em>B</em>.&nbsp;<em>burgdorferi)</em>&nbsp;in elk (<em>Cervus elaphus)&nbsp;</em>and moose<em>&nbsp;(Alces americanus</em>) in Minnesota, A total of 597 serum samples (62 from elk and 535 from moose) were tested for antibodies against&nbsp;<em>B. burgdorferi&nbsp;</em>using an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Samples with titers of&nbsp;<u>&gt;</u>1:320 were considered positive. Out of 597 sera tested, 135 (27%) were positive with IFA titers ranging between 1:320 and 1:1280. The rate of sero-prevalence was 52in elk and 19% in moose. These results indicate exposure of both species of cervidae to&nbsp;<em>B. burgdorferi&nbsp;</em>in Minnesota.</p>

Keywords: Lyme disease, elk, moose, Borrelia burgdorferi, serologic survey.