AHA!!! 1995: No serological evidence that B. burgdorferi can infect pigeons was found.!!!!*)!*)!

1: Zentralbl Veterinarmed B. 1995 Oct;42(8):503-7. Related Articles,
Links


Borrelia in pigeons: no serological evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi
infection.

Fabbi M, Sambri V, Marangoni A, Magnino S, Solari Basano F, Cevenini R,
Genchi C.

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia
'Bruno Ubertini', Pavia, Italia.

In order to clarify the supposed involvement of urban pigeons (Columba
livia livia) in the epidemiology of Lyme disease, the presence of
antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia anserina in
pigeons' sera, collected in 12 areas of northern and central Italy, was
evaluated. This evaluation was carried out using a classic
immunofluorescence assay (IFA), a surface immunofluorescence assay
(SIFA) and a standard Western Blot (WB) assay. A total of 104 out of
3,186 (3.26%) serum samples were positive for both spirochetes when
tested by IFA, with titres ranging from 1/40 to 1/1280. All positive
specimens showed the same or a higher reactivity against B. anserina
than against B. burgdorferi. Of the IFA positive samples, 30 were
tested by WB and SIFA to evaluate further the specificity of the
antibody response, i.e. to try to clarify against which spirochete the
antibodies were raised. The presence of antibodies against the 23 kDa
protein exclusive to B. anserina, and against epitopes which are not
surface-exposed and which are common to B. anserina and B. burgdorferi,
was assessed by WB and SIFA. No serological evidence that B.
burgdorferi can infect pigeons was found.

PMID: 8578924 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

Quantcast