Seroprevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether cats in the northeastern United States develop serum antibodies against antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum and whether coinfection with the 2 organisms occurs.


METHODS
Serum samples from 84 healthy cats and 9 cats with lameness, fever, anorexia, or fatigue.


METHODS
Serum antibodies against B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum were measured with an ELISA incorporating a whole-cell preparation or purified recombinant antigens, by means of Western blot analysis, or indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining.


RESULTS
ELISA results indicated that 44 of 93 (47%) sera contained antibodies against > or = 3 B. burgdorferi antigens, whereas 43 (46%) were reactive to whole-cell B. burgdorferi. Serum reactivity to protein 35, VlsE, and outer surface proteins A and F was most common. Seropositivity to > or = 3 antigens occurred at the same rate (5/9) in the 9 ill cats as in the 84 healthy cats (46% [39/84]). Of 13 sera reactive to recombinant antigens, 9 were seropositive as measured by Western blot testing with whole-cell antigen. Seropositivity rates of 30% and 38% were detected for antibodies against A phagocytophilum via IFA and ELISA testing, respectively. Fifteen (16%) sera had antibodies against both pathogens.


CONCLUSIONS
Cats living in areas infested by Ixodes scapularis ticks are exposed to B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum and, in some instances, may be coinfected. Most cats appeared healthy. An ELISA incorporating specific recombinant antigens may be used adjunctively with Western blot and other assays to confirm B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum infection in cats.
Magnarelli
Louis A
LA
Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven 06504, USA.
Bushmich
Sandra L
SL
IJdo
Jacob W
JW
Fikrig
Erol
E
D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial