Lyme disease (Borreliosis) is a tick-borne, bacterial disease of humans and domestic animals. It is caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group.  

Borrelia are helically wound, flexible, highly motile bacteria. By rotation of their axial filaments (periplasmatic flagella) they are able to move efficiently in corkscrew fashion through viscous media (serum). Therefore they can disseminate throughout the body within days to weeks of infection.  

In Europe, the most frequently isolated pathogenic genospecies of humans and dogs are Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto.  

The pathogens are transmitted by various tick species of the genus Ixodes. In Europe, Ixodes ricinus is the most important vector. However, infestation rates with Borrelia vary depending on the region. In endemic areas of Germany, approximately 3-7 % of the larvae and 10-34 % of nymphs and adult ticks are infected by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.

The reservoir hosts of Borrelia are wild animals, including rodents as well as many other small mammals and birds. The ticks take their meals (blood) from these animals.

Since dogs visit the areas where ticks live, they are more affected than humans. Typical tick habitats are the edge of the woods, bushes, undergrowth and tall grass. However, infected ticks can also be found in public parks.  

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include fever, apathy, loss of appetite and anorexia as well as recurrent and shifting lameness and polyarthritis. The characteristic rash or the circular area of redness around the bite (erythema chronicum migrans) which is seen in man may be absent or perhaps overlooked due to hair coat or dark pigmentation.

Infection may be diagnosed by:

• Microscopy: direct detection and identification of the pathogen is possible but uncertain
• Culture:  time-consuming and labour-intensive
• PCR Serology: determination of specific antibodies based on the ELISA-technique (screening) or Western-Blot (confirmatory test)

Borrelia burgdorferi Lyme Blot Canine IgG/IgM

The NovaTec Borrelia burgdorferi Lyme Blot Canine IgG/IgM is intended for the qualitative determination of  IgG-/IgM-specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in canine serum.  Antigens: Borrelia garinii antigens

Antigens:

Borrelia garinii antigens  

Assay Procedure: