Antibodies to OspC, OspF and C6 antigens as indicators for infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in horses.
Authors: Wagner B, Goodman L B, Rollins A, Freer H S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Lyme Disease Serology in Horses Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete *Borrelia burgdorferi* and transmitted via *Ixodes* tick vectors, represents an increasingly documented but diagnostically challenging condition in equine practice. Wagner and colleagues investigated the diagnostic utility of three specific antibody markers—OspC, OspF and C6 antigens—to differentiate active or recent *B. burgdorferi* infection from background seropositivity or vaccination-induced responses in horses. Using serological testing on horses with confirmed infection status alongside controls, the researchers evaluated whether these particular antigen-specific antibodies could improve diagnostic accuracy beyond standard two-tier testing protocols. The C6 peptide showed particular promise as a marker of active infection, whilst OspC and OspF antibody responses provided additional specificity for identifying horses exposed to the bacterium itself rather than simply vaccinated animals. For practitioners in endemic areas, these findings suggest that incorporating C6 serology into diagnostic algorithms may help differentiate true *B. burgdorferi* infection from false positives, thereby improving treatment decisions and reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use in horses with non-specific lameness or performance issues.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Serology testing for specific Borrelia burgdorferi antigens (OspC, OspF, C6) may improve diagnostic accuracy for suspected Lyme disease in horses
- •Clinicians should maintain high suspicion for Lyme disease in horses from endemic tick areas, as clinical signs are often non-specific and variable
- •Multiple diagnostic approaches may be necessary given the limitations of current testing methods for equine Lyme disease
Key Findings
- •Antibodies to OspC, OspF and C6 antigens can serve as indicators for Borrelia burgdorferi infection in horses
- •Lyme disease diagnosis in horses is challenging due to vague clinical presentation and diagnostic test limitations