Heterogeneity in immunoblot patterns obtained by using four strains of Borrelia burgdorferi and sera from naturally exposed dogs.
This study evaluated the differences in immunoblot patterns when serum specimens from seropositive dogs were reacted against four strains of Borrelia burgdorferi. Intense bands were consistently detected for the 83-, 66-, 61- to 60-, 41-, and 31-kilodalton regions for all four strains. Most variations were observed in the regions of 45 to 34 and 26 to 15 kilodaltons. Adsorption studies suggested that one reason for the observed variability was a difference in proteins among the organisms, rather than a difference in migration of proteins. Therefore, knowledge and consistency of the test antigen are essential when evaluating and comparing canine immunoblot patterns to B. burgdorferi, but for diagnostic purposes all of the serum samples would have been considered positive regardless of the strain used.
Greene
R T
RT
Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
Walker
R L
RL
Burgess
E C
EC
Levine
J F
JF
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001898:Borrelia / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification*; D001899:Borrelia Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D015151:Immunoblotting
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins